SIRIM TO ADVANCE STANDARDS AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA

SHAH ALAM, Feb 29 (Bernama) -- SIRIM Bhd today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Institute of Standards and Industrial Technology (NISIT) of Papua New Guinea to advance standards and industrial developments of the region.

SIRIM president and group chief executive Datuk Dr Ahmad Sabirin Arshad said the MoU also aims to support standardisation and enhancement of industrial productivity in Papua New Guinea by providing a range of services namely, training, education and technical assistance. 

“The cooperation will inadvertantly safeguard against unsafe and subpar products, promote measurement and technical standards for commerce and industry in Papua New Guinea, as well as improve the country's industrial efficiency.

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“SIRIM is committed to exploring the wide range of fields, fostering innovation and advancement as we want to build a better Papua New Guinea, the one that is technologically developed and where the research and development (R&D) is benefiting all the people there,” he told reporters at the MoU signing ceremony here today.

He said the two-year MoU further strengthens Malaysia's relationship with Papua New Guinea which started in 2017. 

Ahmad Sabirin said the core of the strategic cooperation with Papua New Guinea comprises seven potential research areas including natural sciences, engineering and technology, medical and health sciences, agricultural science, social science and humanities, promoting technology transfer and commercialisation cooperation.

He said the company intends to establish Papua New Guinea as a new halal hub in the region as part of its future plans.

“Halal hub in Papua New Guinea is what SIRIM is working on there where we are doing the Muslim-friendly certification and this is moving towards creating a halal-friendly environment in the food and beverage chain of the country,” he said adding that SIRIM is on its path to create more international strategic cooperation with Indonesia and Vietnam planned for collaboration this year.

Meanwhile, acting director general of NISIT Victor Gabi said SIRIM's strong commercial industry activities could help in the reformation of industrial development of Papua New Guinea.

“Our country needs to grow the industry because many businesses there (Papua New Guinea) do not have a proper sight to do cross-checking and balancing, and we hope the MoU can help to advance the industrial development to a higher level,” he said.

SIRIM Bhd, a wholly-owned company under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry is known for its technology and quality solutions, specialising in several areas namely industrial research, technology development and commercialisation, certification, testing, inspection, measurement and calibration.

-- BERNAMA