Abu Dhabi Quality Forum 2014 kicks off, formally launches Emirates Metrology Institute as National Metrology Reference

Abu Dhabi (WAM): Under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the National Security Advisor and Vice Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the second edition of the Abu Dhabi Quality Forum (ADQF) has kicked off yesterday at St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi in the presence of more than 1,750 local and regional experts including government regulators and quality experts from the public and private sector. Hosted by Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC), the entity responsible for developing quality infrastructure and raising awareness on quality standards in Abu Dhabi, the event kicked off with a keynote address by Ali Majed Al Mansoori, Chairman, QCC, who stressed on the forum's priority to enhance quality infrastructure in the emirate. Underlining the event's pivotal role in promoting dialogue as outlined in the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, Al Mansoori reiterated the importance of ensuring quality in promoting a country's exports as the backbone of the local manufacturing sector. Al Mansoori said: "Product quality and competitiveness are key to building a diversified economy driven by growth in non-oil sectors. This will further reinforce the UAE's status in the global arena as an innovation-based economy. In this regard, the second instalment of ADQF will focus on topics such as standards, measurements, testing capabilities and compliance, highlighting their role in supporting industrial sectors in Abu Dhabi and the wider region." The forum also saw the formal launch of Emirates Metrology Institute (EMI), a research and educational institution which aims to establish a solid quality infrastructure through the provision of all measurements references and standards to ensure compliance with international measurement specifications and standards. Aimed at building an advanced technical institution which will be serving a national reference in metrology and its various applications, EMI will seek to strengthen cooperation and partnership with relevant institutions to ensure accuracy and precision in measurements and compliance with international standards. Among the other responsibilities of EMI are providing technical requirements for measuring instruments, serving as a national reference for standardisation laboratories, enabling quality measurement systems in the UAE to receive international accreditations, providing consultancy for regulators and other relevant bodies, offering training courses in standards and conformity assessment and spreading awareness among all segments of society about the importance of metrology and its various applications. The opening ceremony included a speech by Dr Steve Lai, Board Member, Regional Institute of Environmental Technology (RIET), Singapore, who hailed the importance of the forum in promoting the exchange of knowledge and innovation, as well as furthering collaboration towards achieving complete sustainable development. The opening ceremony was followed by a plenary session on ‘Quality Infrastructure 2030: Sustainable Industries for a Competitive Economy' moderated by Sean M Cleary, Founder and Executive Vice-Chair of Future World Foundation. Hussain Salem Al Katheeri, Secretary General, Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC), Homaid Al Shemmari, Chief Executive Officer - Aerospace and Engineering Services, Mubadala, Dr Wolfhart Hauser, Chief Executive Officer - Intertek, UK and Howard Kerr, Chief Executive - British Standards Institution (BSI) participated in the discussions. The session highlighted the role of quality infrastructure in building a world-class economy and in driving growth across key economic sectors. It also validated the important role played by quality in enhancing competitiveness and opening doors to new markets. ADQF 2014 examines ways of promoting cooperation, exchanging knowledge, sharing best practices and creating new job opportunities to advance Abu Dhabi's quality infrastructure and enhance its leading position as a hub for quality and conformity. The two-day forum provides participants with an opportunity to engage in in-depth discussions on industry best practices, offer recommendations to overcome the challenges facing quality infrastructure in the emirate, and establish critical links between quality and economic performance. – Emirates News Agency, WAM