The Côte d’Ivoire Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI-CI) organised a conference on Thursday 16 March 2023 at its headquarters in Abidjan-Plateau, focusing on the significance of standards for industrial products. The event aimed to inform manufacturers and exporters about the importance of compliance with product standards to successfully access the African common market under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Constant Boka, Managing Director of Côte d’Ivoire Normalisation (Codinorm), led the discussion on “The challenges and prospects for the development of Ivorian industry in the AfCFTA era: the issue of standards for industrial products.” He highlighted that standardisation is a fundamental aspect of business operations, affecting everything from equipment to management processes and procurement. Adopting this culture requires specialised knowledge and skills.
Boka stressed the government's efforts to provide tools and instruments to assist businesses in aligning with standards, emphasizing the critical role of compliance for accessing the AfCFTA market. He stated, “The only objective barrier is non-compliance with standards. If you don’t comply, this market will close in on you.” Comparing product certification to a passport for international travel, he pointed out its necessity for market entry and customer assurance.
He also underscored the competitive edge that certification offers, stating, “If you have the N.I brand in Côte d’Ivoire, you can penetrate global markets. Certification is a competitive factor.” He noted that European countries increasingly demand the N.I Côte d’Ivoire mark on imported goods, underscoring its international value.
Maguiraga Bakary, Vice-President of the CCI-CI, acknowledged the high stakes involved and outlined the Chamber’s role in supporting industrial firms as they venture into international markets. “I know that I can count on the determination of our public authorities, the involvement of our industrialists, and the support of our development partners to achieve this objective,” he affirmed. Bakary also reiterated the ICI’s commitment to backing manufacturers of all sizes in their journey towards global competitiveness.
Abidjan.net