Vanndy calls for revamp of national standards to boost exports
Vanndy calls for revamp of national standards to boost exports
Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI), Monday reaffirmed the commitment of the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) to develop the Cambodia Standards (CS) which is the utmost substance in boosting exports and ensuring trade competitiveness globally.
Presiding over the 28th National Standards Council (NSC), Vanndy – also the Chairman of the NSC – said that RGC committed to developing the CS for local products as it plays a crucial role in the process of exports through quality improvement, production promotion and boost productivity.
He said, “Some businesses or enterprises may still perceive standard requirements as burdensome for exports hence the NSC’s mission is to develop as many strategic national standards as possible aimed at supporting the Cambodian products.”
The Minister encouraged sectoral committees to set the standards development target following the hierarchy of economic demand in each sector. “We [Cambodians] produce many products but without proper standards, the consumer market will remain narrow,” he said.
Vanndy urged the NSC to review and revise the existing standards, especially the documents approved by the international framework, which seem to be difficult to fully implement in the country’s current context.
“Besides the internal rules, standards development process and achievements in last year, NSC also reviewed and approved the draft standards for rice wine, proving an ongoing effort of the government in improving the quality of the products and overseas market integration,” he added.
During the meeting, the Minister underlined that the Institute of Standards of Cambodia (ISC) serves as the coordinating body and secretariat of the NSC but the NSC cooperation framework which includes sectoral committees is very important.
He said, “The progress of developing the national standards requires contribution and cooperation from the committees of all relevant ministries and institutions as a whole.”
Speaking to Khmer Times, Seang Soleak, Spokesperson of MISTI said, “Generally, the development of CS evolved from the international standards but in some cases, it still cannot be implementing in Cambodia’s context.”
“Some enterprises thought that the requirement to apply for the national standards is complicated and cost them both time and expanse to complete the documents which is very troublesome however real business experts do not think that way.”
Soleak emphasised that the standards is like a certificate that allow the business and enterprise owners to expand their production scope by integrating overseas markets and strengthening commercial interaction with regional countries and the world.
According to MISTI, the meeting focused on the important role of national standards in boosting exports and global trade competitiveness for local products.
The 28th NSC meeting demonstrates the RGC’s strategy for establishing a comprehensive support framework to ensure standardisation and effectiveness in promoting growth for Cambodian products on both domestic and international markets.
Based on ISC, the institution responsible for the preparation and publication of CS and guidelines for products, commodities, materials, services, practices and operations.
The national standardisation programme developed CS on a consensus basis and promotes the wide acceptance by industry and government to enhance enterprises’ business competitiveness, the statement added.
