a total of 30 SMEs and 7 Cooperatives will be identified under Market Connect and Productive Alliances program and these will undergo training, coaching and mentorship and eventually GFSI certification.

The Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS), is calling for a renewed interest in the development of standards by the private sector as their participation in the process will ensure that the sectors’ specific needs are taken into account. ZABS Director Technical Services Mrs. Margaret Lwenje Lungu has said industry participation in the standards development process will provide an opportunity for innovative ideas to be shared and further improve quality and competitiveness of products and services.

The Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) Executive Director Mr. Manuel Mutale says consumers must begin to think differently about locally manufactured products and change perceptions of local products being inferior. He says there is no need for importation of certain products that can be manufactured locally as a number of them have passed through quality checks and are complying with national standards.

The Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) Executive Director Mr. Manuel Mutale has called on players in the SME sector that want to access new markets to pursue certification which is essential for local and international trade. Mr. Mutale said that ZABS is eager to work with local businesses that are ready to implement standards and attain certification that will facilitate access to more markets.

“While as a country we are trying to stave off the effects of the pandemic, there are some opportunities that our local manufacturers can leverage on and we are here to support these efforts so that they can gain access into the high value markets around the country