|
22nd
September
2008
EAC member countries challenged to
implement SQMT Act
The
East Africa Community (EAC) has been
challenged to effectively implement the
Standardization, Quality Assurance,
Metrology and Testing (SQMT) Act so as
to foster development in the region.
Giving a welcoming remark in a half-day
workshop on the Implementation of SQMT
Act held in Dar es Salaam recently, the
Tanzania Bureau of Standards Director
Mr. Charles Ekelege said though
achievements have been attained by the
three national standards bodies through
harmonization of standards, still there
is a great need of creating awareness on
the SQMT Act of 2006 as strong quality
infrastructure is needed in East Africa.
 |
| A
cross section of Tanzania Bureau of Standards
senior staff members during an awareness
workshop on implementation of EAC SQMT Act,
2006, in Dar es Salaam, on Thursday, September
18, 2008. |
Mr.
Ekelege said EAC member countries need
to establish strong quality
infrastructure that will accelerate the
economic development of the region.
“Developed countries have effectively
used SQMT to drive their national
development, they have used SQMT as an
effective engine for national
development and trade,” he insisted.
He further said that success can be
obtained through expanding investment in
human resources with the view to
increasing capability to manage
standardization and quality assurance at
organizational level, participating more
in standards development at regional
level and building national and regional
capacities in SQMT.
Moreover, Mr. Ekelege added that
participating more in standards
development at regional level and
transfer of knowledge and technology
through standards, both local and
foreign, will increase the overall
capacity.
On his part, the EAC Liaison Officer,
Principle Standards Officer Willy
Musinguzi, on behalf of the Director
General of Customs and Trade of the EAC
said the SQMT Act aims at promoting
trade in the region through uniform
application of law.
Mr. Musinguzi said as the region is
moving towards the common market, the
SQMT Act will enhance competitiveness of
products produced in the region.
The workshop which was attended by
stakeholders from the Ministry of
Tourism and Natural Resources, Ministry
of Industry, Trade and Marketing,
Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industries
and Agriculture (TCCIA), Legal
Metrology, Tanzania Food and Drugs
Authority and Tanzania Revenue Authority
was preceded by a half day workshop for
TBS staff.
The EAC SQMT Act was established in line
with the Treaty for establishment of the
EAC, which was signed on 30th November
1999. Under Article 81, the Treaty
provides for co-operation in
standardization, quality assurance,
metrology and testing among the five EAC
member states, namely Tanzania, Kenya,
Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.
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