The Spanish Association for Standardization (UNE), and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Association (SASO), have held a high-level meeting with the aim of facilitating access to this international market for Spanish companies.
The event was attended by the Chairman and Director General of UNE, Alfredo Berges and Javier García, respectively; the Governor of SASO, Dr. Al-Kasabi, and senior managers of the organisation; as well as representatives of UNE members with an interest in exporting to the Saudi market. It was highlighted that standards are a very powerful tool for facilitating trade and market harmonisation, helping economic sectors to promote the internationalisation of their companies and support exports.
Spain is a leading trading partner in the Middle East, and Spanish companies are among the top exporters to Saudi Arabia, especially in sectors such as machinery, electricity, construction, renewable energies and engineering. Thus, having a first-hand understanding of the requirements for accessing this market is key to strengthening trade relations between both countries.
SASO, in addition to being the Saudi standardisation body, a member of ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission), is the authority that regulates the access requirements to the Saudi market for consumer and industrial products, as well as the national metrology body. For this reason, a bilateral meeting has also been organised, highlighting the role of standards in strengthening the quality infrastructure and the competitiveness of the industry. Participants at the event included the Director of the Spanish Metrology Center (CEM), José Ángel Robles, and the Assistant General Manager for Quality Assurance and Industrial Safety of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Manuel Prieto.
