Lack of knowledge on standards affects exports

The Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) has said lack of knowledge on technical standards is one of the main hurdles that affect developing economies’ bid to promote exports.

MBS director general, Davlin Chokazinga, said this in Blantyre on Wednesdayduring the opening of a training workshop on the operations of the National Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) enquiry point and National Notification Authority (NNA),

Chokazinga said the skills that were going to be acquired would ensure that Malawi meets the World Trade Organisation (WTO) requirements and, therefore, increase export.

The bureau, which is Malawi’s designated TBT enquiry point, noted that MBS’ effectiveness will facilitate trade and competitiveness.

 “The National enquiry point acts as a focal point where domestic and foreign producers, manufacturers or government entities can obtain information on a member’s standards, technical standards and conformity assessment procedures which assist prospective traders to be aware of requirements in target markets.

“The [NNA] has the responsibility to inform the WTO secretariat and members when technical regulations or conformity assessment procedures that could significantly affect trade of other members are being proposed by a country,” said Chokazinga.

According to the bureau, the training went into details of the of the WTO agreement on TBT.

The training was facilitated through technical assistance from United States Agency for International Development (Usaid) Southern Africa Trade Hub under the trade facilitation programme.

MBS also said the Usaid technical assistance covers strengthening the legal and regulatory framework for standards which would enable regulators to understand the importance of the referencing standards and protect human health, safety and the environment while facilitating trade and competitiveness.