Low quality imports tanks

Zimbabwe has experienced a 23 percent drop on imported products that do not comply with required standards since the inception of tight inspection of foreign commodities in March this year.

The government mandated a French firm, Bureau Veritas in March this year to inspect imported products with a view of ensuring that only conforming products are allowed entry with those not conforming being re-exported under a Consignment Based Conformity Assessment (CBCA) programme.

The Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mike Bimha told captains of industry and commerce at the official opening of Bureau Veritas offices in Zimbabwe, that there is a decrease from 67 percent to 44 percent of the inspected consignments that do not fully comply with required standards.

"There is a drop in the market trends of the substandard imports and we hope for more in the near future," he said.

Bureau Veritas Vice President, Mr Arnaud de Lammotte said his firm is committed to providing verification conformity services to listed imports.

"We shall do our best to ensure that the standards are really undertaken in the interest of the nation," he said.

The CBCA seeks to ensure that Zimbabwe import goods that conform to high quality standards to protect local industries from unfair trade practices, and create employment and training of locals.