By Innocent Manda:
The Ministry of Trade and Industry has commended the governments of Malawi and Zambia for successfully signing the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) on Conformity Assessment, describing it as a key milestone in boosting cross-border trade.
The signing ceremony took place on August 11 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Lusaka, Zambia, where Malawis Minister of Trade and Industry, Engineer Vitumbiko A.Z. Mumba, represented the country alongside Zambias Minister of Agriculture, Reuben Mtolo Phiri.
Speaking during the event, Minister Mumba said the agreement will promote efficiency, trust, and seamless trade between the two countries by mutually recognizing conformity assessment processes.
This Agreement is more than trade facilitation. It is about strengthening trust between our national quality institutions, building confidence in standards, and laying a strong foundation for industrial growth, competitiveness, and consumer protection, Mumba said.
He added that the MRA will help realise the aspirations of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by promoting harmonised trade systems that reduce costs, increase efficiency, and encourage the free flow of goods.
This agreement is a direct contribution to AfCFTA goals as it reduces costs, increases efficiency, and enables free movement of goods and services across borders, Mumba said.
The minister further said the signing reflects the highest level of political will from both governments and shows their commitment to practical regional integration that benefits their citizens.
This shows we are serious about regional integration, not just in words but in action, to improve livelihoods and strengthen our economies, he said.
Zambias Minister of Agriculture, Reuben Mtolo Phiri, said the MRA will help farmers, traders, and consumers benefit from faster and less costly trade processes.
This agreement creates real opportunities for our farmers and traders by reducing trade barriers, saving costs, and opening markets for our agricultural produce, Phiri said.
COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Kapwepwe assured Malawi and Zambia of continued technical support to ensure the agreement is effectively implemented and sustained beyond donor assistance.
I urge both governments to create effective implementation strategies so this agreement remains operational and beneficial long after external support has ended, said Kapwepwe, in a speech delivered on her behalf by COMESA Assistant Secretary General Ambassador Dr. Mohamed Kadah.
The agreement, supported by COMESA in collaboration with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and funded by the UKs Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, covers maize, groundnuts, beans, rice, soybeans, and sorghum. It is expected to enhance regional trade integration.
