Since November 2014, International Economics is implementing in cooperation with IBF and under the ACP-EU TBT Programme, a project aiming at supporting the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) in the field of Standardisation and Quality Management Systems (QMS). The purpose of the project was to upgrade the existing capacities of the Zambia Bureau of Standards in terms of standardisation and management systems and support the accreditation process of key proficiency testing facilities.

After 4 months of implementation, a validation workshop on WTO TBT Agreement was held in Lusaka, Zambia on 25th and 26th March 2015. The event was the occasion to sensitise public and private economic operators on TBT principles and obligations and also aimed at presenting the project’s key findings and recommendations as well as ZABS’ Draft Standards Strategy. This validation workshop was a good occasion to assess and better understand the needs of the private sector in terms of obstacles and barriers to export and trade and was also the opportunity for participants to provide further inputs and to ensure that their needs are properly addressed by the National Quality Policy under development.

The event conveyed 43 participants from the Zambian Government, Zambian Trade Associations, NQI related institutions, academia and the industry.

Participants and Speakers of the workshop, Lusaka – Zambia