The Minister of Trade, Industry, Business Development and Tourism (MITBDT), Mr. Mokhethi Shelile says his ministry is going to develop and establish standardisation, metrology, and conformity assessment and accreditation institutions at Ha Tsolo in Maseru.
Mr. Shelile said this when requesting budget allocation for his Ministry in the National Assembly on Thursday, adding that plans are in the advanced stage for his ministry to develop and establish standardisation facilities so that local products be tested in the country.
He also promised that his ministry will diversify products and improve market access as part of job creation and finding a market for local produce.
He added that he will ensure that his ministry maintains quality and accurate data evidence-based policy formulation and informed decision-making.
Mr. Shelile said when funds are allocated, the ministry will strengthen and promote quality infrastructure as well as promote growth and sustainability of Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises (SMMES) and cooperatives.
‘’We are going to strengthen trade and development institutions’ capacity and strengthen the capacity of MTIBDT,’’ he said.
The Minister noted that one of his objectives is to enhance productive capacity and competitiveness and increase exports while on the other hand improving the investment climate and trade facilitation.
He said strengthening investment, trade and tourism promotion will also be his target in this new financial year.
Leader of the opposition, Mr. Mathibeli Mokhothu applauded the government for having resolved to develop and establish standardisation, metrology and conformity assessment institutions, saying this will help local business people to start a water bottling company in the country rather than to go to South Africa for testing.
He said while in South Africa, those responsible for water testing use their own conditions for a company that is going to operate in Lesotho.
Mr. Mokhothu also highlighted that the ministry should start now to negotiate for the extension of the Africa Opportunities Act (AGOA) agreement between Lesotho and the United States of America for the textile industry products to be exported to that country duty-free.
He said the agreement will expire sometime next year, saying considering that the textile industry is employing over 30 000 Basotho, it means that the Government should form a ministerial sub-committee that will deal specifically with the extension of this agreement.
Mr. Mokhothu said if AGOA could expire, it would mean disaster for Lesotho if 30 000 Basotho could lose their jobs at the go, saying it will be worse than the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also urged the government to take full advantage of neighbouring South Africa’s energy crises in which they are struggling with load shedding, saying the country should look at possibilities of generating more power to be exported to other countries.
The MITBDT requested a total of M126,656,950 for this financial year in order to carry out developmental activities which were approved by the members.
Source: LENA 23/03/2023
