Promoting cooperation on quality measurement standards between Vietnam and UAE and Saudi Arabia

(CPV) - The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) recently had a bilateral working session with the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) and signed a technical cooperation agreement with the Saudi Arabian Standards and Metrology Organization (SASO).

Working session between Minister Huynh Thanh Dat and Deputy Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology of the UAE (MoIAT) - Mr. Omar Al Suwaidi. Photo: Ministry of Science and Technology

Within the framework of the official visit of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the Vietnamese high-ranking delegation to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Qatar, the delegation of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) led by Minister Huynh Thanh Dat had a bilateral working session with the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) and signed a Technical Cooperation Agreement with the Saudi Arabian Standards and Metrology Organization (SASO) on October 29, 2024.

Strengthening the promotion of expert exchanges between Vietnam and the UAE

At the meeting, Deputy Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology of the UAE, Mr. Omar Al Suwaidi expressed his pleasure to welcome the delegation of the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam. He highly appreciated the cooperation between the two sides and emphasized the need to promote cooperation activities in the field of Halal based on the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2023 on quality measurement standards.

Speaking with the UAE delegation, Minister Huynh Thanh Dat highly appreciated the cooperation and mutual support between the two sides, and emphasized the importance of increasing technical support for the Halal Certification Center under the National Standards and Quality Assurance Committee (STAMEQ) of Vietnam - under the Ministry of Science and Technology.

The Minister also wished to promote the exchange of experts between the two countries, considering this an important factor in developing cooperation activities; calling for seeking cooperation opportunities in assessing the conformity of goods before export to meet the requirements of the UAE market.

The Minister expressed his hope to receive consensus and comments from Deputy Minister Omar Al Suwaidi to realize these plans in the coming time.

At the end of the meeting, Minister Huynh Thanh Dat sent an invitation and hoped to welcome the leaders of the UAE MoIAT to visit and work at the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam in the near future.

Signing of technical cooperation agreement with SASO

On the same afternoon, at the headquarters of the Saudi Arabian Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), the signing ceremony of the Technical Cooperation Program between STAMEQ (Ministry of Science and Technology) and SASO took place solemnly under the witness of Minister Huynh Thanh Dat.

Mr. Ha Minh Hiep - Acting Chairman of STAMEQ signed a Cooperation Agreement with SASO. Photo: Ministry of Science and Technology

In a discussion with Mr. Saad Alkasabi - Chairman of SASO, the Minister highly appreciated the potential for cooperation between the two agencies in the field of standards and quality measurement, especially in the field of Halal. According to this Agreement, the two sides plan to cooperate in areas such as: standards and standards training, conformity assessment, legal and industrial metrology, testing and laboratories, calibration, information exchange, mutual recognition between conformity assessment organizations, digital transformation of quality infrastructure, as well as exchange of expertise and human resources.

Mr. Saad Alkasabi also expressed his hope that STAMEQ and SASO will support each other to bring cooperation activities into greater depth and effectiveness.

Both sides believe that the signing of the agreement on this special occasion will create a foundation for STAMEQ and SASO to carry out practical cooperation activities in the coming time, contributing positively to the friendly relations between Vietnam and Saudi Arabia.

MoIAT is a government agency established in July 2020 by merging the functions of the Office of the Minister of Advanced Technology, the UAE Authority for Standards and Metrology (ESMA) and the Industry Department of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. MoIAT is tasked with formulating policies and legislation related to promoting research and development, science, technology and innovation; establishing a framework for the development of export industries; and improving the UAE national quality infrastructure system. MoIAT is also the governing body for Halal certification activities in the UAE.

SASO was established by Royal Decree No. M/10 dated 17 April 1972 as an independent juridical and budgetary body. SASO is responsible for all matters relating to standardization, metrology and quality in Saudi Arabia, and represents the country in international organizations and forums, working closely with the private sector and government agencies and stakeholders to develop quality infrastructure.

Source: https://dangcongsan.vn/khoa-hoc/day-manh-hop-tac-ve-tieu-chuan-do-luong-chat-luong-giua-viet-nam-voi-uae-va-a-rap-xe-ut-681869.html