Minister of Industry Praises Localization of Testing and Calibration Services During Inspection Tour at the Standards and Metrology Institution
Minister of Industry Praises Localization of Testing and Calibration Services During Inspection Tour at the Palestinian Standards and Metrology Institution
On October 20, 2024, His Excellency the Minister of Industry and Chairman of the Board of the Palestinian Standards and Metrology Institution, Mr. Arafat Asfour, conducted an inspection tour at the institution’s headquarters. He was accompanied by Mr. Zaghloul Samhan, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry. They were received by the Institution’s Director General, Engineer Haider Hajja, along with several department heads.
During the visit, the Minister reviewed the workflow across various departments and the services provided by the institution to the industrial, commercial, and health sectors. The tour included a visit to the national laboratories established in 2019 with the objective of localizing testing and calibration services within Palestine.
The Minister praised the advanced level these laboratories and services have achieved, highlighting their essential role in improving measurement accuracy and ensuring the quality of national products. He emphasized that these efforts contribute significantly to enhancing the efficiency of local production and increasing the competitiveness of Palestinian products in both local and international markets.
In this context, Engineer Haider Hajja explained that the national laboratories play a pivotal role in guaranteeing quality and calibration in vital fields such as health, food, electrical devices, and construction materials. He also underscored the importance of localizing these services to boost confidence in local products and support their competitiveness on a global scale.
Hajja added that the institution has adopted more than 5,200 Palestinian standards which are regularly updated as part of a comprehensive strategy to develop quality standards.
As part of its ongoing efforts to obtain international accreditation, the institution will soon undergo an audit process by the Gulf Accreditation Center. This step will affirm the institution’s commitment to international standards and strengthen the confidence of both local and international partners in its services.
At the conclusion of the visit, Minister Arafat Asfour stressed the importance of continuing efforts to enhance quality standards and support the Palestinian industrial sector to achieve sustainable development and reinforce the competitiveness of Palestinian products regionally and globally.