For information only - not an official document
UNIS/OUS/033
8 June 2010
Bangladesh has Potential to Become Metrology Hub for South Asia, Says UNIDO Director-General
VIENNA/DHAKA, 8 June (UN Information Service) - The Director-General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Kandeh K. Yumkella, said today that Bangladesh had the potential to become the metrology hub of South Asia.
"Bangladesh is growing rapidly, and global metrology and calibration standards could drive this process. It has the potential to become a metrology hub for South Asia," said Yumkella, inaugurating the National Metrology Laboratory of the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution.
"The establishment of the state-of-the art National Metrology Laboratory has been a vital part of UNIDO's effort to contribute to growth and poverty reduction in Bangladesh through developing, strengthening and diversifying the country's production and export base. The laboratory constitutes a key industrial service institution of Bangladesh, especially with regard to meeting the objectives of the Bangladesh Vision 2021."
He added that in the industrial sector, Bangladesh had demonstrated the ability to compete globally.
During his three-day visit, Director-General Yumkella met the Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, the Minister for Industries, Dilip Barua, Foreign Minister, Dipu Moni, and the Minister for Health and Family Welfare, F. M. Ruhal Haque. They discussed cooperation on green industrial development, including environment management and disposal of medical waste, renewable energy, energy efficiency, agribusiness development, and women's economic empowerment.
The Director-General also took part in the launch of the second phase of the EUR 16.9 million Better Work and Standard Programme, funded by the EU and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation.
Yumkella participated in the Green Technology Seminar, entitled "Application of Green Technologies in SMEs for Sustainable Industrial Development in Bangladesh". The event was a follow-up to the 2009 Manila Green Industry in Asia Conference.
UNIDO will soon open a Desk in Bangladesh to coordinate the projects the Organization implements in the country. It will be headed by Zaki Uz Zaman.
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For more information, please contact:
Ravindra
Wickremasinghe
UNIDO Communication
Mobile: (+43-699) 1459-7776
Email:
r.wickremasinghe@unido.org
