Bangladesh should ensure accreditation for local products to increase export earnings, reduce cost and time and implement the Sustainable Development Goals, speakers at a seminar said today.

The Bangladesh Accreditation Board (BAB) and the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) jointly organised the event at the DCCI Auditorium on the occasion of World Accreditation Day 2022.

The main theme of this year's Accreditation Day is "Accreditation: Sustainability in Economic Growth and the Environment", according to a press release. 

Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun said testing labs should be well-equipped with modern technologies so that accreditation is accepted in the world market.

He said internationally accredited and reliable national accreditation infrastructure is crucial for strengthening the export of local products and services.

"For that reason, a quality accreditation infrastructure ecosystem has been established by the government. As part of it, the efficiency of the Bangladesh Accreditation Board has also been improved a lot and the BAB is now well-equipped to provide necessary accreditation."

Kamal Ahmed Mojumder, state minister for industries, said accreditation is important for the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals.

"But for that, we need to enhance our technological advancement and reliability. The BAB is now an efficient institution but it should be strengthened more."

Industries Secretary Zakia Sultana emphasised adequate accreditation infrastructure for the sake of export competitiveness.

"Quality accreditation helps us internationally to enhance export."

She said due to unplanned industrialisation worldwide and massive economic activities, there is a negative impact on climate and Bangladesh is of no difference.

"Under such circumstances, if we are able to comply with the accreditation process for both goods and services, it will help us ensure a better livable world for the next generation."

"If we can ensure accreditation for our local products, it will expedite export earnings as well as reduce cost and time."

Rizwan Rahman, president of the DCCI, said quality certificates issued by local labs to the export items such as leather, jute and jute goods, plastic, and frozen food should be endorsed by the BAB so that these certifications are accepted by the global authority.

He also called for implementing advanced learning in the industrial sector and emphasising strong collaboration with international accreditation and quality assurance agencies to enhance business competitiveness in this changing business environment.

Md Monwarul Islam, director-general of the BAB, said for safe food and services, quality assurance in every aspect of the supply chain is inevitable.

"Besides, coordination, cooperation and mutual assistance among the institutions involved in quality infrastructure are needed."

While presenting a keynote paper, Md Imdadul Haque, vice-chancellor of the Jagannath University, said: "Safe product, services and quality assurance are much needed for us.

Set up in 2006, the BAB is quite well-equipped, he said.

"But we need to strengthen the BAB more to make it more competitive in the international market."