Minister of Industry Honourable Roy Kachale Banda has urged Small and Medium Enterprises in the country to ensure their products are meeting required standards for them to compete favourably on the market.

The minister has also asked the SMEs to be realistic on pricing saying the ministry has noted that some local enterprises over charge their products for bigger profits the situation that is discouraging others from doing business with the SMEs.

He was speaking in Blantyre on Wednesday 24th February 2021 when he launched Malawi Bureau of Standards sponsored training on standards and certification process for SMEs.

“SMEs should have their products certified to be able to compete on the market, they should also be realistic on pricing” said the minister.

On the training, the minister applauded MBS and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Institute (SMEDI) for the innitiative which is also expected to contribute to the creation of one million jobs, one of the priority agendas of Tonse government.

MBS Director General Mr Symon Mandala said the trainings have been tailor made for SMEs with the aim of ensuring that they (SMEs) understand and are able to implement relevant Malawi Standards in their product and service realisation process.

He also disclosed that the Bureau has reduced by 50 per cent, certification fees SMEs pay to have their products certified. However, Mr Mandala said the reduction will not compromise standards.

The launch of the training sessions follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between MBS and SMEDI to help more SMEs have their products certified.

The first set of the training sessions started on 24th and ended on 26th of February 2021 in Blantyre and Mzuzu.