UAE, JSMO sign MoU to strengthen collaboration on standards to enhance economic growth

AMMAN — The UAE’s Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Jordan Standards and Metrology Organisation (JSMO) to strengthen ties around standards, regulations, conformity assessment, specifications and national hallmarks. 

The MoU aims to facilitate industrial, trade and economic growth in both the UAE and Jordan, according to a statement from the ministry.

The MoU was signed by Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Abeer Barakat Al Zuhair, Director General of the JSMO, on the sidelines of the International Organisation for Standardisation’s (ISO) annual meeting in Abu Dhabi.

Farah Al Zarooni, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Standards and Regulations Sector at the ministry, was also present at the signing ceremony.

Vital partnerships

Suwaidi said the MoU embodied a common vision and strong relations between the UAE and Jordan, especially in the fields of industrial and economic cooperation.

“The UAE’s industrial sector contributes greatly to the national economy, and the ministry is committed to increasing this contribution through the application of the best international practices to enhance quality infrastructure in partnership with regional and international standardisation bodies,” he said.

“The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology is committed to strengthening national capabilities in different areas of the quality infrastructure system. This includes implementing measures to develop standards and technical regulations, which helps to enhance the efficiency of the UAE’s industries as well as promote consumer safety and economic growth,” Suwaidi noted.

“Partnerships with Arab and international institutions and organisations in the field of standardisation are of the utmost importance in the ministry’s efforts to increase the capabilities and competitiveness of our industrial companies. Efforts to transfer knowledge and exchange information are also crucial for the sector to achieve long-term success and help the UAE to consolidate its position as a global hub for industry, advanced technology, and innovation,” he added.

Strengthening partnerships

Zuhair stressed the importance of cooperation between the two sides to serve the common interests of the UAE and Jordan.

“The memorandum of understanding between our two standardisation bodies highlights a common vision and a will to cooperate on standardization to support sustainable development,” she said.

Harmonised standards play an important role in supporting national economies and enhancing the quality of goods and services, thereby ensuring consumer protection, increasing production capacity, and enhancing trade, Zuhair noted.

She also stressed the important role played by the JSMO through its participation in the work of the technical committees concerned with preparing unified Arab standards that conform with international best practices. This process also contributes to the development of the industry and facilitation of trade among Arab countries.

Terms of agreement

The MoU covers the exchange of information and knowledge relating to common areas of interest, cooperate towards harmonisation of standards between the two parties, the statement said.

The agreement also encourages cooperation inconformity assessment procedures to facilitate the exchange of non-food and non-pharmaceutical industrial products between the UAE and Jordan.

The two parties also agreed to exchange information on special training programmes, the protection of intellectual property rights, and expertise in the fields of standards. They also agreed to cooperate in the field of certificates and hallmarks for items made of precious metals, concluded the statement.