Govt calls on industry to harness Artificial Intelligence for quality, resilience

The government has called on manufacturers in the country to leverage modern technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and incorporate them into the standardisation process to address sector challenges effectively.

Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Chipoka Mulenga emphasized that it was essential to uphold rigorous standards and a commitment to quality, using technologies.

Speaking at the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) annual quality awards in Lusaka on Friday, Mulenga said this should be done not only for growth but for building resilience in the face of an ever evolving business environment.

This year’s ZABS National Quality Awards is being held under the theme; “Standardisation and Business Resilience; Re-thinking Competitiveness and Sustainability.”

The Minister stated that this would ensure that standardization remains responsive to the challenges faced by every sector.

“The New Dawn Government attaches great importance to facilitating the growth and development of our industrial sector. My Ministry is fully committed to fostering a quality driven culture,” Mulenga said..

He assured of the government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen the National Quality Infrastructure, and was dedicated to assisting businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises, to embrace and maintain high standards.

Mulenga said the government’s efforts towards quality infrastructure were multifaceted and these include strengthening the legal and regulatory framework governing Standards and Quality Assurance, and ensuring alignment with international best practices.

“It is Government desire to see industries produce quality products and services that can compete regionally and globally. Standardisation exists to improve our way of life,” the Minister said.

He assured that the government remained committed to encouraging SME growth and development, promoting value addition, enhancing exports and creating job opportunities.

Mulenga noted that this was a sure way of boosting the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and contributing to economic growth and development.

“I am proud to report that on 1st October 2024, Zambia attained full membership to the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO),” he announced.

Mulenga said this was a significant milestone, as membership to ISO gives the country a platform to shape international standards.

ZABS Board Chairperson Mbobe Nyondo said as the country contended with the effects of climate change, particularly the ongoing energy deficit, the ZABS had risen to the occasion, providing essential support through its various services.

“Notably, ZABS has played a pivotal role in the Energy Efficient Lighting and Appliances project (EELA), which focuses on developing standards for energy-efficient lighting and appliances within the SADC region,” Nyondo said.

Meanwhile, ZABS Executive Director Nathan Sing’ambwa said the National Quality Awards stood as one of the key initiatives aimed at encouraging businesses to adopt and implement standards.

He said the competition offers a valuable platform for industry players to benchmark their performance and assess how they measure up against their peers in terms of the quality of their products and services.

“By fostering a quality culture and conformity to standards, we believe that businesses can achieve sustainable growth while contributing to national development,” Sing’ambwa said.

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