officials from Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) and the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) met in Lusaka to discuss ways on how they can work together and improve trade between the two countries.
During the meeting, ZCSA Executive Director Gerald Chizinga explained why the partnership was important.
“The two institutions must work together to assist producers and traders, among others, to increase their compliance with mandatory standards in a quest to enhance access to markets and product acceptability in the region and beyond,” he said.
Chizinga added that working with international organizations like MBS helps ZCSA enforce compulsory standards.
He said the visit gave the two agencies a chance to find areas where they could cooperate more effectively.
The Director General of MBS, Bernard Thole, agreed and stressed the importance of collaboration.
“MBS, which also enforces compulsory standards, looks forward to enhanced collaborations between the two institutions,” he said.
Both organizations presented their work during the meeting.
ZCSA shared its role under the Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017, focusing on protecting public health, safety, consumers, and the environment.
On the other hand, MBS talked about how they ensure products meet market standards to build trust and reliability.
The meeting ended with a commitment from both agencies to work closely together.
Their goal is to ensure that products from Zambia and Malawi meet high standards, making them more acceptable in regional and global markets.
The partnership is expected to strengthen trade ties and help both countries grow their economies.
