Malawi Bureau of Standards touts products monitoring system
The Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) has expressed optimism that the Automated System for Customs Data (Ascuda) programme used in the country’s border posts would help in effective tracking of quality of imported goods.
The system, according to MBS Director of Quality Assurance Gloria Meleka, will also give local products a competitive edge as it will detect flaws in low quality imported products.
Meleka said this in Mangochi during an interface with clearing agents and other stakeholders at Chiponde Border Post.
Using the Ascuda programme, importers will be applying for assessment of their goods through the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA).
According to Meleka, MBS will be monitoring all the imports remotely before sending its officers for physical verification.
“In addition, all the physical verification by MRA, MBS, Agriculture and other stakeholders will be done jointly under this system, such that traders are not expected to be spending more time at the borders,” she said.
She said the system, which was commissioned at Chileka Airport some seven months ago has proven to be effective.
“We were having difficulties collecting revenue from importers that require services because we do not have offices in all the borders across the country. But with this system, we will now be able to monitor and collect funds easily,” she said.
One of the clearing agents at Chiponde Border Post Prince Banda of Cargo Met spoke highly of the system.
