In harmonizing national standarts, Muslim nations seek to boost trade ties

The Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC) held its first general assembly yesterday in Ankara with the aim of harmonizing the national standards of Islamic countries. An affiliate of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the organization's main purpose is to eliminate technical barriers to trade and thus develop trade among OIC member countries. Industry and Trade Minister Nihat Ergun, in opening remarks at the meeting, stressed the necessity to boost trade between Islamic countries as well as remove barriers to trade for businesspeople. "Differences of standardization, documentation and experience among countries constitute the biggest obstacle to trade," he said. "The SMIIC will act as a mechanism to harmonize existing standards and create new ones among the member countries. The main goal of the institute is to add momentum to commercial relations among the member states." Common standards will serve as a common language between buyers and sellers from different countries and cultures, he said, adding that standardization will also assure people about the safety of products. The institute will also work to achieve uniformity in metrology, laboratory testing, and standardization among member countries. It will also be able to draw up new standards to reap maximum benefits from economic advantages resulting from their adoption.