The Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Standards and Metrology Institute for the Islamic Countries (SMIIC) to further accelerate collaboration between two institutions in the area of common interest. The MoU was signed by H.E. Ambassador Musa Kulaklıkaya, Director General of SESRIC, and H.E. Mr. İhsan Övüt, Secretary General of SMIIC, on 27 July 2018 at SESRIC Headquarters in Ankara.

The MoU aims at facilitating sharing of analysis and information for identifying complementary programs to increase intra- and inter-OIC trade; as well as coordination in activities in the areas of statistics, socio-economic research, project development and implementation, training and technical cooperation.

On the occasion, Ambassador Musa Kulaklıkaya expressed his pleasure to sign MoU with SMIIC, as one the leading OIC institutions operating in trade facilitation, highlighting its role in developing harmonized standards and other specific standards through voluntary standardization process to expedite exchange of goods and services among member states, thus improving the economic growth and to the welfare of the OIC community by means of establishing quality infrastructure and high quality standards.

On his part, Mr. İhsan Övüt marked this as a golden opportunity to open a new avenue of cooperation between two institutions, bringing together knowledge and standards side of the commercial activities in OIC economies, underlining the role of statistics in addressing various quality parameters.

The Standards and Metrology Institute for the Islamic Countries (SMIIC), is an OIC affiliated institution that aims at realizing harmonized standards in the Member States and eliminating technical barriers to trade and thus developing the trade among themselves. It shall establish certification and accreditation schemes for the purpose of expediting exchange of materials, manufactured goods and products among member states beginning with mutual recognition of certificates.

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