Malawi management systems poor—MBS
Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) director general Davlin Chokazinga has said the country’s performance in the implementation of management systems and certification is not very good.
A management system describes the set procedures an organisation needs to follow to meet its objectives. It also enables an organisation to establish measurable targets and establish realistic and workable implementation plans to achieve set targets.
Chokazinga, speaking in an interview on the sidelines of the award presentation ceremony of the first ever Quality Management Systems Certificate based on an International Standard ISO 9001 to Promat Ltd in Lilongwe, observed that Malawi’s performance is low compared to other countries in the region and in the world at large.
He said: “Such picture is not good for Malawi as a country, with respect to international trade because sound implementation of management systems demonstrate the ability of the country and its organisations to provide products and services that have the potential to consistently conform to applicable standards.”
Chokazinga said if Malawi products are to penetrate the export market as envisioned in the National Trade Policy, National export Strategy (NES) and the National Industry Policy, they should conform to applicable product standards in addition to being produced in processes duly controlled through quality management systems.
Chokazinga however said there is room for Malawi to do better in management systems following the award of of ISO 9000 to Promat Ltd which he described as historic.
Promat Ltd managing director Elijah Kumwenda said by getting the QMS certificate based on an international standard based on ISO 9001 will help the company sell its products locally ant internationally with ease.
Promat produces PVC pipes and HDPE pipes which it sells locally and in the neighbouring Zambia and Mozambique. n
