As part of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) delegation led by Minister Huynh Thanh Dat held bilateral meetings with the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) and signed a technical cooperation agreement with the Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organisation (SASO) on October 29.

According to the MoST, a formal signing ceremony for the technical cooperation programme between the Commission for the Standards, Metrology, and Quality of Vietnam (STAMEQ) and SASO took place under the witness of Minister Dat.

STAMEQ acting president Ha Minh Hiep signed a cooperation agreement with SASO. Photo: The Ministry of Science and Technology

In discussions with Saad Alkasabi, president of SASO, Dat emphasised the significant cooperation potential between the two agencies in quality measurement standards, particularly in the Halal sector.

Saad Alkasabi expressed his desire for STAMEQ and SASO to support each other in enhancing cooperative activities. Both sides are confident that signing this agreement will create a foundation for STAMEQ and SASO to implement practical cooperation, contributing to friendly relations between Vietnam and Saudi Arabia.

During the meeting with MoIAT on the same day, Dat expressed his desire to promote expert exchanges between the two countries, considering this a crucial factor for developing cooperative activities. He also called for exploring cooperation opportunities in product conformity assessment before export to meet UAE market requirements.

Vietnam's Minister of Science and Technology met with UAE Deputy Minister for Industry and Advanced Technology Photo: The Ministry of Science and Technology

UAE Deputy Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Omar Al Suwaidi expressed his pleasure in welcoming the Vietnamese MoST delegation. He highly appreciated the cooperative relationship between both sides and emphasised the necessity of strengthening cooperation activities in the Halal sector based on a 2023 MoU on quality measurement standards.

In discussions with the UAE delegation, Dat praised the cooperative relationship and mutual support between both sides, while emphasising the importance of enhancing technical support for the Halal Certification Center under STAMEQ.

SASO was established on April 17, 1972, as an independent judicial and financially autonomous body. The organisation oversees all standardisation, metrology, and quality matters in Saudi Arabia. It represents the nation in international organisations and forums, while working closely with the private sector, government agencies, and stakeholders to develop quality infrastructure.

MoIAT, formed in July 2020, is responsible for developing policies and legislation related to research and development, science, technology, and innovation promotion. The ministry establishes frameworks for export-oriented industries and enhances the UAE's national quality infrastructure system. Additionally, MoIAT serves as the regulatory authority for Halal certification in the UAE.