By BUUMBA CHIMBULU
The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) board has been challenged to supplement Government efforts in revamping the economy as opposed to chocking the businesses and industry in the country.
Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister, Chipoka Mulenga said the new dawn administration was working hard to revamp the economy, hence the ZCSA board must support the industry and businesses to thrive.
He said this when the ZCSA board members paid a courtesy call on him on Wednesday in Lusaka.
“You must support the businesses to thrive and not to choke them. As you interact with companies and business owners, ensure entities repent from ills and get to a point where they support economic growth.
“As you regulate the industry, do not stop erring entities from performing but tell them to do the right things. In an event you find a company that is producing many products and one product is found wanting, don’t shut them down. Isolate the defective product and let the business continue,” Mr Mulenga said.
He said the board members should not use their positions to punish and scold the business sector but should ensure that operators feel and appreciate their positive influence.
Mr Mulenga said the board should act differently and also do something unique that will raise their profiles by the end of this year.
He also challenged the board members to get best practices from other similar regulating agencies for compulsory standards beyond Zambia.
At the same event, ZCSA Board chairperson, Ian Mupeta assured the minister that the board is hitting the ground running in a quest to deliver its mandate.
“We are hitting the ground running. From here, we will get a briefing from ZCSA management. We take our assignment seriously. Our appointment to the board shows the confidence you have in us,” Mr Mupeta said.
