Standardisation key to export growth—MBS
Malawi can grow its exports if it develops good standardisation processes, Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) director general Davlin Chokazinga has said.
Speaking in Lilongwe on the sidelines of a workshop on better regulation, Chokazinga said: “Project Sqam [standardisation, quality, assurance, accreditation and metrology] is meant to enhance the ability to export goods from Malawi by reducing the need for re-testing, re-inspection, re-certification abroad through acceptance measurements, tests conformity assessment results issued in Malawi.”
He said the purpose of the Sqam Project is to contribute to a more adequate, effective and sustainable national quality infrastructure in Malawi in accordance with international and regional principles and practices by supporting the improvement of the performance of MBS as well as strengthening some national quality infrastructure.
On his part, deputy director for industry in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism Clement Phangaphanga said regulations are important for all countries, including Malawi, because they reduce risks on environmental health and other market related risks.
Better regulatory practices have been emphasised in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreement on technical barriers to trade (TBT) agreement which aims at preventing unnecessary technical barriers to trade, establish rules for technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment.
