Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Director for Domestic Trade, Sikatema Mulonda, says the construction of a K3.5 Billion laboratory at the Zambia Bureau of Standards is a significant step in efforts of enhancing the promotion of local and international trade.
Mr. Mulonda says the laboratory being constructed with financial support from the European Union, EU, will be used for certification of Zambia’s import and export products.
He told ZANIS in Kitwe that most Zambian products fail to compete favourably on the international market due to lack of a symbol of quality.
He said the equipment, which is being installed at the ZNS, would certify and offer a mark of quality to the products being produced in the country before they are exported out of the country.
“The equipment at the Lab makes it the second best in Africa, South Africa is the only country with this Equipment and trade muscle that Zambia is trying to build” he said.
Mr. Mulonda emphasised the need to strengthen capacity for ZBS to enable it make assurances on the quality of goods entering and leaving the country.
He said ZBS is failing to detect counterfeit products entering the country through the various border points due to lack of capacity and equipment.
He disclosed plans by government to increase the current workforce at ZBS from the current 80 to 200 in the provision of quality service to the business community and the nation in general.
He said ZBS workers, particularly those operating at border points,are being equipped with various techniques on how to detect counterfeit products.
Mr. Mulonga advised the business community to utilise the new lab to ensure their export product meet the international standards.
ZANIS
My word most of the goods found in Zambia are fonkos. Perfume ati Guci instead of Gucci, pressing iron ati Pilips or Philibs instead of Philips. Home theatre Popsonic instead of Panasonic. Shoes Nikke. Yaba China wafwa
Stadnards ba LT naimwe
Ba #1, you have made me laugh on this sad day.
A very noble and long overdue undertaking. The interpretaion and implementation of the the laboratory findings will go along way in assuring the consumerz of quality service deliverly.
with n’chekeleko syndrome pa zed, do you think the customs officers will ever enforce any standards?
#1.. ati “popsonic”…
LT, what the hell is a “Stadnards” certification lab?!!!! Can’t you guys do a quick spellcheck before publishing? Come on now!!!!!