Industry Deputy Minister Hon Modi Calls For Inclusive Trade Practices

By Lloyd Mwale

The Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Hon Raji Modi has called for the promotion of inclusive trade practicises to protect consumers and ensure products’ integrity as a foundation to build an economy that sustains all citizens.

The Industry Deputy Minister, who was represented by Dr Douglas Runyowa, Chief Director Commerce, said this during his opening remarks at the Trade Measures Annual Conference and Strategic Planning Workshop held recently at Kadoma Hotel and Conference Centre which ran under the theme,”Measurements for all times,for all people”.

“Trade Measures play an essential role in safeguarding consumer rights, promoting fair trade and driving economic growth. The work of Trade Measures is a corner stone of our nation’s Commerce and Industrial integrity, ensuring fairness and consumer protection across the board through accurate measurements and stringent products quality standards. Our inspectorate protects the public from deceptive practices and substandard goods and these efforts not only ensure consumer safety and confidence but also foster fair competition, stimulate innovation and create a level playing field for businesse,” Modi said.

The mandate of Trade Measures department as enshrined in the Trade Measures Act is to define and authorize the unit of measure in trade and to provide for uniformity and assizing of all measurements equipment.

“This is far more than technicality; it is the very foundation of market confidence, consumer trust and protection, hence our theme, Measures for All People, For All Times,” he said.

“I wish to underscore that enhanced product quality and safety standards have far-reaching benefits as they boost our exports potential, attract foreign investment and contribute significantly to Zimbabwe’s socio-economic prosperity.

“This Strategic Plan is not an isolated programme,it must produce a living blueprint that supports the ministry’s core function and national priorities as we pursue the government’s vision 2030 and upholding the principle of “leaving no one and no place behind” it is imperative that we promote inclusive trade practicises,” said the Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Hon Modi.

The three day workshop drew participants from across a wide spectrum dealing in trade measure practices in the country with the purpose of promoting understanding of legal metrology’s role in fair trade, encourage dialogue towards establishing a platform for continuous discussion on Measurements trends, innovations as well as the need to embrace technologies from industry 4.0 and 5.0 and advocate for measurement tools and standards to empower local industries as well as commerce among other issues.