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Herald Reporter

Efforts to ensure Zimbabwe produces quality products that meet global standards to expand exports are continuing, with Industry and Commerce permanent secretary Dr Thomas Utete Wushe, engaging some key stakeholders this week.

Dr Wushe was in South Africa on Thursday, where he met representatives of two major organisations, Cotecna and Crystal Partners.

Cotecna is a global leader in testing, inspection and certification services, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, but has presence in many African countries.

Crystal Partners is a female-led Pan-African investment company that forms strategic partnerships with global companies that want to establish or expand their presence into Africa.

Central to the discussions was the significant impact that standards verification, testing and certification have on fostering economic growth through international trade.

Cotecna said ensuring the quality of Zimbabwe’s products not only protects local consumers, but also meets the stringent demands of global markets, unlocking new export opportunities.

They also stressed the need for imported goods to adhere to local standards, thereby safeguarding local consumers’ interests.

In keeping with the demands of the Second Republic, the Ministry of Industry is actively pushing to ensure that in the near future, Zimbabwe enjoys increased export trade.

Expressing optimism about the collaborative approach, Dr Wushe said: “This meeting is a key indicator to our commitment to the Zimbabwean people. It’s a commitment to improve the quality of life for Zimbabweans, by ensuring that our efforts as the Ministry increases economic activity.

“In this way, we bolster trade and expose our people, and quality products to the global markets.”

Dr Wushe added that the ministry’s commitment to ensuring that quality processes are adhered to was strongly highlighted.

Cotecna, leveraging its extensive global experience, reinforced “importance of adhering to global standards, so we grow the trust of international markets.”

The level of Cotecna’s expertise will help fortify Zimbabwe’s regulatory frameworks, ensuring that the nation’s exports meet global standards.

This support will ultimately empower Zimbabwean businesses to access international markets with confidence.

Crystal Partners, known for its focus on strategic partnerships to grow value across Africa, emphasised the potential of this collaboration to uplift local industries.

Aligning with international standards, businesses in the country stand to grow and attract investment from forward-thinking, sustainability driven companies.

The meeting represents a key step forward in Zimbabwe’s bid to become a more competitive player in the global market with continued collaboration between the ministry, Cotecna and Crystal Partners.

Experts say Zimbabwe is well-positioned to enhance its export capabilities while ensuring consumer safety, both locally and abroad.

Later, Dr Wushe graced the launch of the Zimbabwe/South Africa Chamber of Commerce (ZIMSA), a platform aimed at ensuring a unified approach to support SADC efforts for trade.