MBS’ K3.5bn laboratory to certify exports

Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) needs over K3.5 billion (US$7.8 million) to construct a laboratory in Blantyre that will certify the country’s goods to break into restricted markets in the West, an official has said.

MBS chief executive officer Davlin Chokazinga said the project was initially expected to cost K3.5 billion but said it could cost more.

He said government is committed to funding the project and already has made available K1 billion, with K500 million already released for the project expected to be completed in 2017.

The country should have had a laboratory by 2014 as plans were to start construction in 2011 and have the project finished in 2014, with government expected to meet the cost of construction.

The European Union (EU) already issued 3.8 million euros (about K1.9 billion) for laboratory equipment and the Norwegian Agency for Development (Norad) also released two million euros (about K1 billion) for equipment and training of personnel.

Lack of a comprehensive laboratory has affected the country in terms of exports as goods cannot be exported to other parts of the world without being certified by a credible laboratory as is the case in countries such as South Africa.

The goods destined for the export market need to be properly certified to meet international standards, which Malawi is struggling to do without a fully-fledged laboratory.

Ministry of Industry and Trade spokesperson Wiskes Mkombezi, in an interview last week, said government is committed to having the laboratory constructed as it would help boost the country’s exports.

He said the country’s exports were rising, but people only focus on the gap between exports and imports.

Mkombezi said imports are surpassing exports because the country’s foreign exchange reserves are growing and people are also importing luxurious goods.