U.S. and Egypt Sign a Memorandum of Understanding for Standards and Quality
حفل توقيع مذكرة تفاهم بين الهيئة المصرية للمواصفات والجودة والمعهد القومي الأمريكي للمواصفات

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June 3, 2008

Ambassador Scobey delivering her remarks السفيرة سكوبي تدلي بكلمتها عقب مراسم التوقيع

Today, U.S. Ambassador to Egypt Margaret Scobey witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Egyptian Organization for Standards and Quality and the American National Standards Institute to cooperate on the development of national standards for Egypt. Egypt has increased efforts to bring mandatory regulations into conformity with international standards and through this agreement the U.S. is providing support to that effort.

The development of national standards will play a key role in facilitating bilateral trade between Egypt and the U.S., which stood at a record $7.7 billion in 2007. At the event, the Ambassador made the following statement:

“Good morning. I just wanted to say a few words to add my own congratulations to Dr. Eissa of the Egyptian Orangization for Standards and Joe Bhatia of the American National Standard Institute for their conclusion of this memorandum of understanding this morning. I think it is a reflection of the commitment of both Egypt and the United States to continuing the search for ways to enhance and to build our bilateral relationship. As we heard this morning, the numbers are already impressive and there is absolutely no reason that they can not be even more so in the future.

Both our countries recognize the important role that international standards can play in facilitating trade. Egypt has done so much already in the goal of bringing its mandatory regulations into conformity with international standards in order to enhance its own ability to reach out to additional markets. Dr. Eissa has been a real leader in ensuring that Egyptian standards are developed with both impartial and transparent procedures that afford an opportunity for consensus among all interested parties. I’m also very happy to recognize Mr. Bhatia for facilitating this effort for mutual cooperation. We believe that the MOU signing today will establish a comprehensive and transparent arrangement for cooperation, the goal of which are mutually beneficial efforts to increase U.S. exports to Egypt and to increase Egyptian exports to the United States.

I’d also like to thank and draw attention to the important work of the American Chamber in arranging this workshop, this opportunity. I think we all look at trade agreements and signatures and MOUs as the frosting on the cake, but I know that in order to facilitate trade before it takes a lot of hard work on the part of the private sector with their government authorities both inside each country and between countries, among countries in order to find a way forward that works for everyone. I think that the American Chamber’s contributions to facilitating the exchange of information and the technical knowledge and understanding needed for Egyptian industry to understand how to expand their imports from the United States are extremely important. I congratulate all of you in your efforts to do this.

Thank you so much for your attendance at this event and we will look forward to watching the numbers next time Mr. Bhatia is here. We will be looking forward to a continuously upward trajectory. Thank you.”



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