Product Certification Modernization: PMB and UNIDO Drive Global Trade

Product Certification Modernization: PMB and UNIDO Drive Global Trade

In a strategic effort to enhance Sierra Leone’s positioning within the global marketplace, Raymond Katta, Executive Chairman of the Produce Monitoring Board (PMB), has advocated for the comprehensive modernization and reinforcement of the nation’s product certification systems.

Delivering the keynote address during the second day of a high-level training symposium, Mr. Katta underscored that rigorous certification protocols are essential to facilitating trade, stimulating industrial growth, and improving the international competitiveness of Sierra Leonean exports.

The two-day Product Certification Excellence Training workshop, facilitated by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) at the Brookfields Hotel in Freetown, was designed to mitigate regulatory discrepancies and empower domestic institutions to achieve international quality benchmarks.

The proceedings engaged a diverse group of stakeholders from the trade, agriculture, and standards sectors. Key participants included Didan Sankoh, Director of Operations at the PMB, as well as industry experts and policymakers focused on optimizing the national export regulatory framework.

As Sierra Leone pursues economic diversification and seeks to maximize its agricultural and manufacturing capabilities, the adoption of internationally recognized certification standards remains a fundamental priority.

By aligning domestic outputs with global specifications, the PMB and UNIDO endeavor to minimize trade barriers, cultivate international consumer confidence, and secure more favorable pricing for Sierra Leonean exporters.