International standards will help Arab economies

Arab countries should coordinate efforts at ISO-organized technical events, said Minister of Commerce and Industry and Board Chairman of Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) Tawfiq Al-Rabiah.
He called for the promotion of metrology, quality and standards to serve Arab economies and their peoples.
The minister addressed the inaugural session of a forum for managers and executives concerned with metrology and standards departments in the Arab countries yesterday. SASO and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) jointly organized the three-day event. Saudi Arabia enjoys full ISO membership.
The forum was set up to exchange expertize and explore challenges facing metrology and standards bodies in Arab countries.
SASO Gov. Saad Al-Qasabi stressed the need for developing countries, including the Arab states, to receive support from ISO to achieve internationally recognized standards.
The level of Arab participation in ISO technical committees should increase, said Al-Qasabi, to expand the effectiveness of the Arabs as a regional group. He said this would reflect in the quality of Arab products and services.