By Derrick Silimina
Small and Medium Scale Entrepreneurs (SMEs) from over 10 countries in the SADC region have converged at the Pamodzi hotel in Lusaka to deliberate on the importance of product sustainability standards.
The three days workshop from 4th to 6th December, 2023 on Capacity building for African SMEs on product sustainability standards has been organized by the Zambia Bureau of Standards, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO), African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
And government says increasing awareness among SMEs about the importance of African sustainability standards is key to increased market access, improved reputation and long term sustainability resulting from provision of quality products.
Speaking during the Capacity building workshop for African SMEs on product sustainability standards held at Pamodzi hotel in Lusaka on Monday, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Permanent Secretary John Mulongoti said African product sustainability standards are a cornerstone in equipping SMEs with the necessary knowledge and tools to integrate sustainability standard seamlessly to their operations.
