GOVERNMENT is set to introduce a national quality policy aimed at strengthening Zimbabwe’s quality infrastructure and improving the competitiveness of local products as the country pursues its industrialisation agenda.
Industry and Commerce minister Mangaliso Ndhlovu yesterday said the policy, which is at an advanced stage of development, would provide a framework for enhancing standards development, conformity assessment and accreditation systems across the economy.
He revealed this during the ongoing Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce annual congress in Victoria Falls.
Ndhlovu said the policy was expected to be presented to Cabinet in the coming weeks.
“The policy will provide a comprehensive framework for strengthening Zimbabwe’s quality infrastructure, enhancing standards development, conformity assessment and accreditation systems, and promoting a culture of quality across all sectors of the economy,” he said.
Ndhlovu said improving product quality was critical if Zimbabwean companies were to compete effectively under the African Continental Free Trade Area, which offers access to a market of more than 1,4 billion people.
He urged local businesses to capitalise on China’s decision to grant 100% zero tariff to African countries, describing it as a gateway to one of the world’s largest consumer markets.
“Market access without productive capacity yields limited benefits.
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“The task before us is to produce competitively, consistently and at scale.”
The minister also called for greater focus on value addition and beneficiation, arguing that Zimbabwe must break the cycle of exporting raw materials and importing finished products.
ZNCC chief executive officer Christopher Mugaga welcomed China’s zero-tariff initiative, but warned that Zimbabwe should address structural challenges to fully benefit.
China’s ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding encouraged local businesses to leverage the arrangement to expand exports.
The calls come as government, industry and academia seek closer collaboration to achieve a US$12 billion industrial sector by 2030.
