Zambia, Mozambique Sign MOU To Strengthen Trade And Quality Standards

Government says the partnership between Zambia and Mozambique complements its aspirations under the Grow Zambia Agenda by strengthening trade, industrial cooperation and quality assurance.

Speaking during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Zambia’s National Quality Institutions and Mozambique’s National Institute of Standardization and Quality (INNOQ), Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary for Investment and Industrialization Crusivia Hichikumba said the agreement would enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.

INNOQ Director General Geraldo Albasini said cooperation in standardization presents an opportunity for the two countries to strengthen institutional capacity, share knowledge and harmonize standards.

Meanwhile, Zambia Bureau of Standards Executive Director Nathan Sing’ ambwa described the signing as an important milestone in efforts to promote quality, facilitate trade, protect consumers and support regional economic development.

Zambia Metrology Agency Executive Director Humphrey Nkobeni said the agreement would strengthen cooperation along the Beira Corridor, a strategic trade route connecting Zambia to international markets through Mozambique.

Mr. Nkobeni said the partnership would support the harmonization of petroleum tanker verification procedures, improve measurement accuracy and promote mutual recognition of calibration results, while reducing unnecessary duplication, delays and costs along the corridor.

Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency Executive Director Gerald Chizinga said the MoU covers four key areas: standardization, conformity assessment and accreditation, metrology, and training and information sharing.

Mr. Chizinga said the agreement would provide a framework for closer collaboration between the two countries’ institutions in promoting standards, quality assurance and compliance with regional and international commitments.