BOBS insists on quality products, services
Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS) Managing Director, Masego Marobela has challenged companies to offer quality products and services. Speaking at the license award ceremony for Flotek Pipes and Irrigation’ BOS ISO 15877-2:2009 certification, Marobela said companies should utilise government’s Economic Diversification Drive (EDD) to market and sell quality assured products.“These initiatives are aimed at developing sectors that will contribute to the diversification and growth of our nation’s economy,” said Marobela. She further said companies should adhere to standards and ensure products are genuine always. “I would like to stress that producing quality goods and services should not only be pursued for the tendering purposes, but should be inherent in the culture and way of doing things and business in any entity,” said Marobela.The BOS ISO 15877-2:22009 certificate is a standard for plastics piping systems for hot and cold water installations chlorinated standard, a new plumbing solution on the market. “This certification underpins Flotek’s commitment to provide continued effective implementation of the requirements of the product standard,” said Marobela. Flotek Pipes and Irrigations is the largest manufacturer of plastic pipes in Southern Africa and produces of over 35 000 tonnes annually, of which 50 percent is produced in Botswana. According to the company’s statistics, 80 percent of Botswana production is exported into the SADC region. “We don’t consider Botswana to be landlocked, but a land linked country with favourable trade agreements like SADC and SACU. Botswana is also an ideal investment destination because of its low cost of capital, macro-economic stability and investor friendly labour policies,” said Vijay Naik, Flotek Pipes and Irrigations Managing Director. The company has operations in Botswana, Namibia, Angola and South Africa, with plans to open in Zambia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry recently announced intentions to make the country an export led economy.