14 Jun 2023

 Botswana’s goods and services should be designed to match the needs, expectations and requirements of producers, retailers and regulatory authorities in the domestic and global markets.

Deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ms Lesedi Kgotlele said this at the World Accreditation Day celebration in Gaborone on Tuesday, thereby urging local producers to produce goods and services that met international market requirements.

“This is achievable through capacitating and implementing institutions to have in place compliant quality infrastructure and technical regulations that conform to international standards,” she said.

She added that it was therefore commendable for Botswana to have recently launched the National Policy of 2022, which was regarded as the mother of quality assurance.

The policy, she said, would enhance trade through adaptation and implementation of internationally recognised and acceptable quality infrastructure as well as technical regulations best practices. 

Also, she said the policy would inculcate quality culture among  players and stakeholders in the industry, thus uplifting the country’s global trade competitiveness.

“It is imperative for local producers to accredit with relevant authorities because accreditation provides for competent, reliable and impartial testing and inspection of goods and services produced and used by both industry and the public,” she said.

Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS) managing director, Mr Botsile Kebapetse said the organisation was a critical player in the attainment of Vision 2036, particularly in the areas of transformation to an export and private sector-led economy.

Mr Kebapetse explained that BOBS primarily ensured facilitation of some of the Vision 2036 pillars through quality assurance of the goods and services produced locally.

“The onus is with BOBS to assure that the country produces quality products which can compete in the global market space and position Botswana as a reputable contributor in the global markets,” he added.

He said BOBS fully supported government’s efforts to diversify the economy, through production of quality goods and services which would, in the long run, increase Botswana’s goods and services competitiveness in the proposed African Continental Free Trade Area agreement on intra-African trade. ENDS