Nairobi, 31th August 2017: South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) stands to benefit from training and technical expertise of Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), according to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the two institutions.
The MOU will promote cooperation in standardization, conformity assessment and training and will provide framework and mechanism for bilateral cooperation while facilitating mutual trade. KEBS having been in operation for longer time bring a wealth of expertise while SSNBS though new, has shown steady growth and progress. The MOU was facilitated by TradeMark Africa. (TMA)
TMA has supported both SSNBS and KEBS in acquisition of expertise and modern equipment as well as harmonisation of standards. In South Sudan, TMA with funding from UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) supported the South Sudan government to set up standards bureau including defining governing policies, setting up of laboratories and training. TMA provided essential testing and metrology equipment (US$1.6 million), refurbishment of chemical and microbiological testing laboratories (US$120,000), technical staff training and support in developing a human resources management system. In Kenya, TMA has supported KEBS with up to US$1.7 million for modern testing equipment’s and training. The MOU has been undertaken in the spirit of regional integration.
