Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council signs memorandum of understanding with BSI
Reducing the cost of multi-billion pound infrastructure projects in Abu Dhabi and lowering trade barriers with the UK were key priorities during a delegation visit from Quality and Conformity Council (QCC) and Abu Dhabi’s municipal authorities. This led to the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between QCC and BSI, the business standards company, to improve and strengthen the economic relationship between Abu Dhabi and the UK.
His Excellency Hussain Salem Al Katheeri, Secretary General of QCC and Howard Kerr, Chief Executive of BSI, signed the MoU in the presence of senior officials from both the organizations. The signing ceremony was held at BSI’s global headquarters in Chiswick, London.
Using standardization will enable QCC to provide quality infrastructure in line with global standards, reduce costs, and facilitate trade. One example of how standards are not only facilitating trade but also assisting with reducing costs is their implementation by QCC to lower the costs of major infrastructure projects.
The MoU has been developed to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two organizations in the fields of standardization and conformity assessment such as certification, testing, management systems, and any other related fields.
Speaking after the signing ceremony His Excellency Hussain Salem Al Katheeri, said it was an important step towards QCC’s pursuit of attaining global standards in all areas of its operations and achieving its mission.
"Our vision to lead, facilitate and develop an efficient, effective and globally integrated quality infrastructure will be hugely supported by cooperation with BSI. We look forward to working in partnership to improve the quality of products, both national and imported, as well as compliance with European standards and assistance with access to European markets,” His Excellency Hussain Salem Al Katheeri, Secretary General of QCC explained.
Howard Kerr, Chief Executive of BSI said: "We know that where the same agreed standards and conformity assessment requirements exist between two countries, companies find it easier to sell their products and services in both countries. BSI and QCC’s efforts to reduce the barriers to trade with the common aim of learning from each other’s experience for mutual benefit will facilitate bilateral trade between the UK and Abu Dhabi. We share QCC’s vision for providing quality infrastructure in line with globally recognized standards for governments, business and consumers."
During QCC’s visit to the UK, senior officials from the organization and Abu Dhabi’s municipal authorities also met with Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint, Minister of State for Trade and Investment, government officials and construction industry specialists to discuss how the UK is using standards to effectively manage major infrastructure projects such as Crossrail.
