Doha: In a move to strengthen product and service quality in line with international standards, MENA's leading accreditation bodies - the Global Accreditation Bureau (GAB), Qatar, and the Egyptian Accreditation Council (EGAC), Egypt - have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen cooperation in third-party accreditation and conformity assessment.
According to Qatar News Agency, as the sole accreditation authorities in their respective countries, the two entities aim to facilitate trade between their nations while ensuring adherence to global standards in accreditation activities.
Highlighting the critical impact of the MoU for the regional economy, Dr. Yousef Alhorr, Founding Chairman of GAB, stated that the collaboration with EGAC is focused on ensuring that both Egypt and Qatar not only meet but exceed international standards for products and services across a range of sectors. The goal is to enhance the competitiveness of the regional economies, foster seamless trade, and build a more sustainable future for businesses and consumers.
Eng. Mohamed Hassan Mohamed Abdelhalim, Executive Director of EGAC, expressed that GAB has become a credible and forward-looking accreditation authority, playing a pivotal role in advancing quality infrastructure across the MENA region. Through the partnership with GAB, EGAC aims to harmonize accreditation practices, enhance technical competence, and support industries in meeting evolving international requirements.
The cooperation between the two accreditation bodies is expected to add value to bilateral trade between the two countries, facilitate mutual acceptance of conformity assessment results, and contribute to quality infrastructure development. It will also enhance the role of international recognition in the industrial society.
Key modes of cooperation outlined in the MoU include joint training programs, internal audits, and the exchange of auditors, lead assessors, and technical experts across various fields of conformity assessment, including laboratories, inspection bodies, and certification of products, professionals, and management systems.
The collaboration between GAB and EGAC is poised to have a significant impact on the region. By harmonizing accreditation practices and fostering mutual recognition, this partnership will facilitate smoother trade flows between Egypt and Qatar, benefiting businesses with streamlined procedures, reduced barriers to entry, and increased market access. This collaboration will also strengthen the competitiveness of both economies within the global market by enhancing product and service quality and promoting consumer confidence.