Minister Ndlovu Challenges Businesses To Lead Fight Against Counterfeit Goods Ahead Of Festive Season

Industry and Commerce Minister Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu has called on businesses to take greater responsibility for protecting their brands as Zimbabwe prepares for a busy festive trading period.

Ndlovu said counterfeit and smuggled goods could undermine local businesses at a time when consumer demand is expected to increase sharply.

He made the remarks after holding his quarterly engagement with business organisations to discuss the state of the economy and challenges facing industry.

Also Read: Zimbabwe Declares War On Fake Goods With Tough New Counterfeit Law

Brand owners urged to take action

According to The Herald, Minister Ndlovu said businesses cannot leave the fight against counterfeits entirely to Government enforcement agencies.

He argued that manufacturers and brand owners are in the strongest position to recognise fake versions of their products.

“Industry should also come up with mechanisms for helping the Government address this, because it is the primary responsibility of the owner of the product to protect it,” he said.

The minister said existing legislation allows brand owners to report counterfeit products and initiate action that can result in their confiscation.

“The law actually empowers the owner of the product to make sure that they report and that they can cause the confiscation of all the counterfeit goods in the market, because they know their products better than anyone,” he said.

He said stronger cooperation between businesses and enforcement agencies would make it easier to identify, seize and remove fake products from the market.

 

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