A day information-sharing seminar for members and designated substitutes of the National steering Committee (NSC) of the West Africa Quality Programme was held last Thursday at the Paradise Suites hotel in Kololi.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Adou Colley, Secretary Of State for Trade, Industry and Employment, revealed that the forum is the first of its kind and shall be held on a quarterly basis on different relevant themes. He said, “today’s seminar is primarily to enable the NSC members have adequate information and knowledge on our national quality management systems so as to properly execute their responsibilities vis-à-vis the expected results of the programme.” He revealed that the main objective of the West Africa Quality Programme is to strengthen competitiveness and ensure compliance with rules and regulations in particular WTO agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS). He encouraged the committee to do their utmost to steer the activities of the Programme in such a manner as to give priority to address the challenges that we are currently facing. He thanked EC and UNDP for their support in the actualisation of the Programme. Dr. Omar Touray, Chairperson NSC, revealed that the committee is comprised of 22 permanent members representing government, the private sector, civil society and farmers associations. The NSC, he said, has a vital role to play in the successful implementation of the project.

Ms. Helene Cave, Charge d’affairs European Commission said that the EC is providing eight million Euros for ECOWAS in the programme. This, she added, will cover several issues such as trade analysis, accreditation, standardisation, quality promotion and inspection among others. The programme, she said, will be instrumental in improving the quality of products in the country.

The occasion chaired by Mr. Joseph Ndeen the National Technical Co-ordinator of the Programme. The event was also attended by members of the media.