Speakers at a seminar on Sunday said that accreditation is essential for sustainable economic growth and the environment. They also emphasized having adequate accreditation infrastructure for the sake of the country’s export competitiveness.
They made the remarks at a seminar on the occasion of World Accreditation Day 2020 held at the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) auditorium. The seminar was jointly organized by Bangladesh Accreditation Board (BAB) and DCCI.
The main theme of this year’s accreditation day is “Accreditation: Sustainability in Economic Growth and the Environment”. Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun was present as the chief guest at the seminar while Kamal Ahmed Mojumder, state minister for Ministry of Industries, Zakia Sultana, secretary for Ministry of Industries and Rizwan Rahman, president of DCCI were present as special guests, reads a press release.
Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun said that the country’s testing labs should be well equipped with modern technology so that the accreditation is accepted in the world market.
“Internationally accredited and reliable national accreditation infrastructure is crucial for strengthening export of local products and services. For that reason, a quality accreditation infrastructure ecosystem has been established by the government,” he added.
As a part of it, the efficiency of Bangladesh Accreditation Board has also been improved a lot and BAB is now well equipped to provide necessary accreditation. The government is also considering formulating a national quality policy.
State Minister for Ministry of Industries Kamal Ahmed Mojumder said: “The world has accepted the concept of sustainable economic development for a secured future. We have to meet the growing demand of the present situation as well. We have to leave a better livable world for the next generation. Accreditation is very much important for the implementation of SDG.”
“But for that, we need to enhance our technological advancement and reliability. BAB is now an efficient institution but it should be strengthened more. Consumers’ satisfaction, confidence and export development are very important for our economic progress,” he added.
Secretary of Ministry of Industries Zakia Sultana emphasized having adequate accreditation infrastructure for the sake of our export competitiveness.
“Quality accreditation helps us internationally to enhance exports. Due to unplanned industrialization worldwide and massive economic activities, we can see a negative impact on climate whereas Bangladesh is no different. In that situation, if we are able to comply with the accreditation process for both goods and services, it will help us to ensure a better livable world for the next generation,” she said.
“If we can ensure accreditation for our local products in this country, that will expedite export earning as well as reduce cost and time,” she added.
DCCI President Rizwan Rahman said that quality certificates issued by our local labs to the export items like leather, jute and jute goods, plastic, frozen food and other exportable items should be endorsed by the accreditation board so that these certifications are accepted by the global concerned authority.
He also urged implementing advanced learning in our industrial sector and emphasized strong collaboration with the international accreditation and quality assurance agencies to enhance business competitiveness in this changing business environment.
Director-General of Bangladesh Accreditation Board (BAB) Md Monwarul Islam said: “For safe food and services, quality assurance in every aspect of the supply chain is inevitable. Besides, coordination, cooperation and mutual assistance among the institutions involved in quality infrastructure are needed.”
Professor Dr Md Imdadul Haque, vice-chancellor of Jagannath University presented the keynote paper at the seminar. He said that Bangladesh is geographically situated in a vulnerable area.
“Safe products, services and quality assurance are much needed for us. BAB was established in 2006, but now this institution is quite well equipped. However, we need to strengthen BAB more to make it more competitive in the international market,” he added.
