Korea Institute of Machinery, Electrical and Electronic Testing (KTC) was selected as the host organization for Ethiopia’s ‘National Quality Control Strengthening Project PMC Service to Improve Competitiveness of Agricultural and Processed Products.’ This project is part of the Official Development Assistance Project (ODA) of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and KTC will support strengthening the measurement, standard, and testing capabilities of the organizations that oversee Ethiopia’s national quality management (MoTRI, EMI, etc.).
Ethiopia is a landlocked country in northeastern Africa, known as the Horn of Africa. It is a country with an economic and political foundation that is advantageous for expanding exports of agricultural and processed agricultural products as it belongs to economic cooperation organizations such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA, economic scale of $3.4 trillion) and the East African Community (EAC). In particular, it is a place with strengths in the development of the agricultural processed products industry based on its excellent natural environment, including abundant natural resources and vast farmlands. According to KDI data, agriculture is a key industry, accounting for about 32% of Ethiopia’s GDP.
The Ethiopian government is also actively promoting the introduction of international certification and strengthening technological capabilities in the field of agricultural processed products to meet the expectations of overseas consumers and exporting countries, and KTC has been selected as the lead agency this time.
KTC plans to improve the competitiveness of processed agricultural products by strengthening Ethiopia’s national quality control capabilities. ▲Strengthening testing and inspection capabilities by building Ethiopian testing, inspection, and calibration equipment ▲Supporting strengthening capabilities in the field of quality management regulation implementation and response in the field of agricultural products, etc. In addition, to strengthen testing, inspection, and calibration capabilities, we plan to support the procurement of quality evaluation equipment, including high-precision measurement equipment, and provide training for professional testing and inspection personnel who can operate and evaluate them. To revitalize the conformity assessment system, a capacity-building program for officials of regulatory and regulated organizations will also be promoted. In addition, we plan to develop a standards-based product certification scheme and prepare procedures to ensure reliability of certification mark follow-up management.
KTC President Ahn Seong-il said, “KTC is a global testing and certification agency in the field of testing, inspection, and weighing and measurement. Through this project, we will be able to further strengthen the technical cooperation relationship between Korea and Ethiopia and promote KTC’s technological and management capabilities to the international stage. We will do our best to develop Ethiopia’s agricultural processed products industry and enhance global competitiveness.”
Reporter Ahn Young-guk ang@etnews.com
