Juba 26th January 2016: The organisation in charge of standards in The Sudan and its South Sudanese Counterpart have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for mutual collaboration and partnership in capacity building, information sharing and technical assessments.
The Sudanese Standards and Metrology Organization (SSMO) and the South Sudan Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) signed the agreement on 26th January 2016. The event was held at the SSMO offices, in Khartoum. Signing the MOU on behalf of SSMO was Dr. Award Sokarb, Deputy Director General SSMO, whilst Hon. Dr. Mary Gordon Muortat, Executive Director signed on behalf of SSNBS. Kepa Dima, Programme Manager, TradeMark Africa (TMA) witnessed the occasion.
TradeMark Africa is SSNBS’s strategic partner and as such helped in brokering and crafting the MOU. Kepa Dima mentioned that the agreement will complement the technical and capacity building support TMA is assisting the SSNBS with. He said, “We are glad the partnership between the two standards organisations has been established. This will provide a framework and mechanism for bilateral cooperation, allow for exchange of scientific and technical knowledge between the two parties for mutual benefit and facilitation of mutual trade.”
SSNBS stands to gain from the technical expertise and technological advancement of SSMO. Moreover, SSMO has committed to supporting SSNBS in staff capacity building through trainings and exchange visits. SSMO is cognition of the trading partners between South Sudan and Sudan and envisages enlightening private sector actors involved in trading with South Sudan on minimal standards to ensure compliance with best practices. Dr. Award Sokarb, Deputy Director General SSMO said “The people of Sudan and their brothers in South Sudan stand to gain tremendously from this mutual cooperation between the standards bodies. We in SSMO are determined and stand ready to work hand-in-hand with our SPouthern colleagues.” Similarly Hon. Dr. Mary Gordon Muortat echoed this by saying, “South Sudan is the youngest country in the world, and we stand to benefit from the experiences of our Sudanese colleagues. It’s worth noting that the social and economic fibres that exists cannot be shaken off with the independence of South Sudan from Sudan. We are equally determine and resolute in strengthening regional cooperation to enhance economic integration as a vehicle for economic prosperity.’’
Specifics of the MOU include technical cooperation in standardization, metrology, quality assurance and conformity assessment to quality improvement, production efficacy and commercial exchange. This encompasses the role played by the two institutions in their respective domestic economies.
Source: TradeMark Africa (TMA)
TradeMark Africa (TMA) is an aid-for-trade organisation that was established with the aim of growing prosperity in East Africa through increased trade. TradeMark Africa (TMA) operates on a not-for-profit basis and is funded by the development agencies of the following countries: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, UK, and USA. TradeMark Africa (TMA) works closely with East African Community (EAC) institutions, national governments, the private sector and civil society organisations.
