MALAWI – The Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) has rolled out training sessions for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), in its effort to enhance access of MBS certification services to SMEs.

The Bureau provides nationwide trainings on relevant Malawi Standards and product certification processes to SMEs. The current training which has been conducted for the most part of August, marks the 6th one since the year began.

It was targeting 125 SMEs  in Blantyre, Mwanza, Liwonde, Lilongwe and Mzuzu respectively.

Speaking during the opening ceremony for the trainings in Blantyre, MBS Acting Director General, Rex Moyo said the Bureau thought it wise to start training SMEs by collaborating with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Institute (SMEDI), so as to empower small businesses and also reduce the knowledge gap that the SMEs have in as far as product certification is concerned.

On the other hand, CEO for SMEDI, Mr. Rodrick Chataika, accentuated the significance of these trainings and the impact they have had in reducing the knowledge gap that exists among SMEs when it comes to Malawi Standards, product certification and its importance.

SMEDI was formed to promote the development and growth of sustainable Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Malawi.

It partners with the Government of Malawi and other role players to create an enabling environment, to facilitate access to finance, information and markets for MSMEs and to provide relevant, needs based business development services.

In March, MBS conducted training for 25 SMEs from Karonga and 26 from Kasungu covering food and personal hygiene, food labelling and the entire certification process.

In other news, MBS opened an office in Chitipa to monitor quality of imports coming in the country from Tanzania and Zambia.

This was to guarantee the implementation of its imports quality monitoring scheme which ensures that imported products are monitored for quality and that they fit for use,  and in turn provide a level playing field for similar products made in Malawi.

Moyo said the Chitipa Office will ensure that quality of goods entering the country through the Mbirima Border is cross-checked.

The Malawi Bureau of Standards currently has thirteen office posts in the country.

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