EU funds more quality improvement initiatives

$7.5 million for QUALEB III and twinning initiative

Two programmes aimed at developing local products and increasing exports were launched by the European Union (EU) on April 25. The programs include Phase III of QUALEB and a twinning program to reinforce the national quality infrastructure

QUALEB III has a budget of €4.4 million ($5.7 million). As an extension of previous QUALEB programmes, it aims at increasing the quality of local products in conformity with international standards for health, safety, and the environment. It also aims at increasing the quality of services, including public sector services. QUALEB has been running since 2004 and has a team of fifteen full-time employees, supported by three European advisors.

Twinning is an EU cooperation instrument that encourages local public administrations to partner directly with similar administrations in EU member States, with the objective to exchange good practices and achieve EU-level standards. The twinning programme involves the Ministry of Economy and Trade (MoET) with the British Standards Institution Royal Charter jointly, and the Czech Office for Standards, Metrology and Testing. The initiative has a budget of €1.4 million ($1.8 million).

The improvements to local products will have a positive impact on exports to international markets in general and the EU market in particular. The EU support will be coordinated by the Quality Unit at the MoET.