THE United Nations (UN) has reaffirmed its commitment in supplementing government in sectors of the country’s economy aimed at employment creation and poverty reduction. THE United Nations (UN) has reaffirmed its commitment in supplementing government in sectors of the country's economy aimed at employment creation and poverty reduction.
UN resident coordinator Janet Rogan said this today when the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) donated a mobile testing laboratory worth over K1 million to the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry.
Ms. Rogan, who is also UNDP Resident Coordinator revealed that the UNDP had donated the laboratory in order to support the growth of the private sector in Zambia.
She acknowledged that private companies had the potential to develop new business practices that can bring about development in the country.
She said the donated equipment will support improvement in the quality of products especially those of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s).
“A mobile Testing Laboratory is key to support improvement in the quality of products, especially of small and medium enterprises, many of which are located outside Lusaka,” Ms. Rogan added.
The UNDP representative also noted that the UN in Zambia saw the private sector as partners in innovation for sustainable development in all sectors.
Ms. Rogan further said the UNDP hoped the Mobile Laboratory equipment which is the first in Zambia would be of good use and produce the development of products with high standards.
Speaking at the same event, Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Margaret Mwanakatwe commended UNDP’s commitment in supplementing government’s efforts in improving the quality of products in the country.
She said government welcomes all interventions from stakeholders that aim to improve national infrastructure through the acquisition of modern equipment for local laboratories.
Mrs. Mwanakatwe added, “The mobile laboratory is a platform where food analysis will be done to enhance quality of products and adherence to national and international standards.”
She has since her Ministry through the Zambia Bureau of standards will monitor the performance of the facility with a view to improving the service delivery to the local industry.
UNDP committed to supplementing government’s efforts in development
