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ZIMBABAWE can reduce the $5 billion-a-year it spends on imports by regulating the standards of imports coming into the country. This was said by the Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Chiratidzo Mubaiwa on Wednesday during the launch of Bureau Veritas, a France-based company that will provide Zimbabwe with Consignment Based Conformity Assessment (CBCA) services.

Deputy Minister Mubaiwa said the high level of imports coming into Zimbabwe requires the government to effectively monitor the dumping of sub-standard products in the country.

“Our country is reported to be importing a total of $5 billion worth of goods, hence there is need to ensure that we get value for money. Zimbabwe is currently being flooded with sub-standard imports which do not meet quality, safety, health and environmental standards in line with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreements.

“The CBCA assessment programme will entail conformity to standards and declared value of listed products intended to be exported to Zimbabwe and verification will be done in the country of export prior to shipment of the consignment,” she said.

Latest figures from the Zimbabwe National Statistical Agency, however, show that the country is still largely dependent on imports as the trade deficit for February 2015 stood at $242,2 million after Zimbabwe imported goods worth $502,9 million, compared to exports of $260 million.

Deputy Minister Mubaiwa said by utilising the CBCA assessment Zimbabwe has joined other countries in the region including Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, and Ghana.

She added that the CBCA assessment will complement the Verification of Conformity Programme, which is already in place, as well as supporting the present consumer protection agenda. Earlier In February, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bureau Veritas to assist Zimbabwe in the monitoring of imports.

Speaking at the launch, Bureau Veritas vice president Arnaud De Lamotte said the partnership shows the government’s commitment to ensuring quality imports.

“It is critical for a country to monitor the imports to reduce the dumping of sub-standard products in the country and quality goods last longer,” he said. — BH24