Launching the accreditation procedure of QSAE’s certification Operation

<h3>Within the framework of the Engineering Capacity Building Program (ecbp), there is the commitment to implement an effective National Quality Infrastructure that complies with international practices.

In addition to its other areas of interventions, ecbp has been supporting the overhaul of the Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia (QSAE) and strengthen its institutional capacity.</h3>

H.E. Ato Tadesse Haile, State Minister Ministery of Trade and Industry and Martin Müller, ecbp Program Director German Development Corporation

The official launch of the accreditation procedure of QSAE will be held at the Sheraton Hotel, on the 6^th of February, 2007 at 4.30 pm (find program attached). This event is the first step in a long path to getting the first accreditation body in Ethiopia which will enable the country to meet international standards in the quality of its products.

During the event H. E. Ato Tadesse Haile, State Minister, Ministry of Trade and Industry; Dr. Thomas Facklam, Managing Director of the German accreditation body and Dr. Bernd Ehinger, the President of Rhein-Main Handwerkskammer will be present.

The market demand for system certification for instance has grown due to the export policies of the government and other factors. Certification organizations currently active in Ethiopia are all foreign, whose prices are often too high for small and medium enterprises.

Due to this ecbp has finalized the recruitment of a German consulting firm, the Rhein-Main Handwerkskammer (Chambers of Handcrafts), to support QSAE in the process to accredit its system certification operation which will become the first of its kind in the country.

At 4.30pm a cocktail reception will be held with dinner served at 7.15pm. The confirmation of attendance is required.

For more information about ecbp, please visit www.ecbp.biz