By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce hosted a crucial stakeholder review workshop on the Consignment-Based Conformity Assessment (CBCA) programme in Beitbridge, aiming to evaluate and enhance the initiative that safeguards consumer welfare and promotes fair trade practices.
The CBCA programme, which was launched in 2015 and now governed by Statutory Instrument 35 of 2024, is a process that ensures products being shipped meet relevant national or international standards and comply with technical regulations. This initiative plays a vital role in protecting consumers from substandard goods and supporting the integrity of local industries.
Addressing participants, Mrs. L. Dlamini Maseko, the Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Matabeleland South Province in a speech read on her behalf, highlighted the significance of the CBCA initiative.
“The CBCA programme seeks to reward, streamline, and support players who indulge in the importation of compliant products and exercise responsible procurement practices, while placing greater scrutiny on unscrupulous suppliers who intend to shortchange our industry and consumers at large, through supplying substandard goods that not only threaten the health of our citizenry, but also undermine the local industry’s survival and viability,” she stated.
Mrs. Maseko underscored that the workshop’s main objectives were to assess the programme’s effectiveness, identify gaps, and gather insights from key stakeholders such as importers, exporters, regulatory bodies, and industry associations. She stressed that stakeholder feedback is vital for refining the programme and ensuring it effectively protects consumers and promotes fair competition.
Furthermore, she highlighted that the enforcement of the CBCA not only shields consumers but also bolsters the growth and sustainability of local industries, which are often threatened by low-quality imports.
Riyona Chibanda, Director of the Quality Assurance Department at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, emphasized the strategic importance of the workshop for Beitbridge.
“The effectiveness of the CBCA programme directly impacts our border town’s reputation as a reliable trade hub. By strengthening our conformity assessment processes, we not only protect consumers and industries but also position Beitbridge as a trusted gateway for legitimate and quality-driven trade across the region,” she stated.
As feedback and insights are gathered and integrated, the initiative is expected to become more robust, ensuring that only compliant, high-quality goods pass through borders and reach consumers.
This collaborative effort not only safeguards public health and fosters fair competition but also strengthens Beitbridge’s role as a trusted trade gateway, ultimately contributing to the sustainable growth of local industries and regional economic development.