Islamic Countries urged to set up Knowledge-Based Economies

Federal Science and Technology Minister Zahid Hamid addressed the inaugural ceremony of 6th meeting of General Assembly of the Standards and Meteorology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC), a centre of excellence of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).

The minister said that SMIIC had been established to provide a sound and strong mechanism for harmonization of standards among the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries and for preparation of new ones, and thus eliminating technical barriers to trade.

“We believe that standard and conformance are the main pivots to address the technological, economic and social challenges that we all face globally as well as in Muslims communities,” he added.

The minister praised the role of SMIIC in fostering economic growth and promoting the welfare of its member bodies/states. He extended warm welcome to all of them. Their experiences and expertise would go a long way to enhance the scientific knowledge among the member states, he added.

The minister also witnessed the MoU signed between the Institute of Standard and Industrial Research of Iran (ISIRI) and Pakistan Standard and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA).

IT Secretary Kamran Qureshi said, “Standards play a pivotal role in every aspect of our lives and in today’s challenging and competitive environment it has rather made the economy to revolve around it. Standard, meteorology and accreditation now form three most important pillars of sustainable development and infrastructure.”

Hulunsi Senturk, chairman Board of Directors of the SMIIC, said that the activities of the organisation aims at increasing intra-OIC trade while the increase in standards and quality in OIC countries will allow for better integration with world trade, leads to an increase in wealth and prosperity of the member States.

Pir Bakhsh Jamali, director general Pakistan Standard and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), said that Pakistan was a regular and active member of SMIIC and fully committed to its objectives. He said that this is a great honour for PSQCA that they are hosting such an important conference of SMIIC member bodies. He apprised that more than 100 delegates from SMIIC member countries and other international and regional organisations are participating in the conference.