Services sector dominates compliance with globally accepted standards
Story by Stanley James, Business Editor
ZIMBABWE’S services sector dominated compliance to quality standards this year, reflecting the commitment to increasing operations in line with global business trends.
Access to domestic, regional and external markets is a challenge for firms due to stiff competition in terms of product and service provision, with local companies embracing certified standards to broaden their market base.
Quality Institute Management of Zimbabwe chief executive officer Mr Danisa Chinamasa confirmed that the services industry, which includes retail, wholesale, tourism and restaurants, among others, dominated firms that were certified with globally accepted standards.
Other sectors that also embraced the quality standards were manufacturing, mining and agriculture.
“2023 can be best described as a year where we have experienced a rise in the uptake of different segments of product certifications. However, it is imperative to note that the services sector has taken a major lead as far as the matter is concerned. Probably this reflects the state of the economy however the mining, manufacturing and agriculture have had their fair share in terms of companies that were also certified with the globally acceptable product standard certifications. Going forward, we hope that more firms will heed to the need towards boosting quality of goods and services to broaden their market portfolios,” he said.
An entrepreneur, Mr Allen Gava explains the importance of industries’ compliance with globally accepted standards.
“It is all about safety that is premised on delivering high-quality goods that also meet customer needs or expectations given the vast challenges associated with stiff competition in the regional, and international markets. The added advantage of a service or product being certified is that it gives further assurances to the consumer of a good product that matches accepted standards, a move that tends to benefit firms in accessing their targeted markets. So indeed, quality becomes the hallmark towards boosting the market base, sales and access to markets,” he said.
Under the National Development Strategy One, high quality of goods and services is critical in global export markets and increasing foreign currency inflows.
