The ManicaPost
Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha recently said new import regulations have gone a long way in eliminating the flooding of substandard goods into the country.
In a move targeted at putting a stop to unrestrained imports, the Government inked a four year deal with Bureau Veritas famed for its proficiency in the quality and standards control business.
Under the deal, a Consignment Based Conformity Assessment (CBCA) program came into effect in 2015, which compels importers to conform to set product standards, and declare the value of goods intended for export to Zimbabwe in the country of origin.
Appearing before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Industry and Commerce, Bimha said the absence of import regulations had turned Zimbabwe into a dumping ground for sub-standard and hazardous goods.
“The CBCA program is progressing well as seen by the increase in the compliance levels of both the importers and exporters hence substantially reducing hazardous and substandard products,” he said.
“We have for a long time, had sub-standard goods which come into this country because we had no means to check whether they were compliant,” he said.
Zimbabwe became an attractive destination for goods and products from all over the world after it adopted the United States dollar and other foreign currencies in 2009.
It is estimated that more than 60 percent of basic goods sold in local supermarkets are imported.
The Government has said the engagement of Bureau Veritas was a temporary move while it sets up its own standards regulatory authority. – New Ziana.
