Joint ISO/ITC regional workshop on Linking Trade Promotion Organizations and National Standards Bodies for export success. Havana, Cuba, 24–26 November 2010

Joint ISO/ITC regional workshop on Linking Trade Promotion Organizations and National Standards Bodies for export success  

Havana, Cuba, 24-26 November 2010 

Introduction

The growth of international trade has greatly increased business opportunities for exporters from developing countries. Yet for many this potential remains under-exploited because of the challenges of complying with stringent technical requirements in the international marketplace. To help navigate the complexities of quality standards and regulations, exporters turn to their local institutions for support and guidance. Trade Promotion Organizations (TPOs) are often the first point of contact for enterprises seeking to export. They play an important role providing capacity building services and crucial market information to exporters. National Standards Bodies (NSBs) help enterprises align with international market requirements and regulations act as representatives of their countries in international and regional standardization organizations and usually act as the WTO TBT Enquiry Point in developing and transition countries. It is recognized that close collaboration between TPOs and NSBs is essential to help exporters address export constraints and technical barriers to trade. But in many countries, there has been little or no formal cooperation between these institutions in the past.

In 2009, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) initiated a unique initiative to overcome these obstacles. Starting at a regional level, the initiative aimed to link TPOs and NSBs in order to build a comprehensive and sustainable support system for long-term export success. To explore how such collaboration could be achieved, ISO and ITC jointly organized a regional consultation, “Quality Management: Linking TPOs and NSBs for Export Success”, in Malaysia in December 2009. Senior NSB and TPO officials from 16 countries from across Asia shared their experiences, considered common challenges, discussed good practice cases and identified initial action points for strengthening co-operation. Information and supporting documents on the joint ISO/ITC regional workshop in Malaysia can be found at the events page. 

As an outcome of the Malaysia workshop, ITC and ISO published “Building linkages for export success – Trade Promotion Organizations and National Standards Bodies working together”.  

ITC and ISO decided to hold in Havana, Cuba, a regional workshop, “Linking Trade Promotion Organizations and National Standards Bodies for export success”, covering South America, the Caribbean and Central America from 24 to 26 November 2010. Some 40 senior officials from NSBs and TPOs representing 22 countries came together to explore how linkages between TPOs and NSBs can be strengthened to improve the international competitiveness of enterprises. The contact details of the participants can be found in the 'Bio booklet'. 

Oficina Nacional de Normalizacion (NC) hosted the workshop with the support from Centro de Promoción del Comercio Exterior y la Inversión Extranjera de Cuba (CEPEC). The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) partly funded the regional workshop. The workshop was opened by Dr Nancy Fernández Rodríguez, Director-General of NC, and Mr Molineta, Vice-Minister, Ministry of Trade and Industry. The closing remarks were delivered by Mrs America Santos, Vice-Minister, Science Technology and Environment. 

Prior to the workshop, all the nominated participants had been requested to submit Country Papers.                                                             

The workshop was conducted in English with simultaneous interpretation in Spanish. The sessions were chaired and moderated by representatives from ITC and ISO. For the break-out sessions, appointed participants acted as rapporteurs and presented the findings to the plenary. All the presentations delivered during the workshop can be downloaded on the Programme and Presentations page. Here you can also find the final workshop report, which was prepared by the organizers. 

After the workshop participants were asked by ISO and ITC to submit a more consolidated version of their country-action plans, an exercise which was initiated at the workshop. A collection of the action plans received by the organizers can be found on the country-action plans page. 

Opening and Closing Remarks

The workshop was opened by Dr Nancy Fernández Rodríguez, Director-General of NC, and Mr Molineta, Vice-Minister, Ministry of Trade and Industry. The closing remarks were delivered by Mrs America Santos, Vice-Minister, Science Technology and the Environment. 

Publications  

As an outcome of the joint ISO/ITC regional consultation on “Quality Management: Linking TPOs and NSBs for Export Success” in Malaysia in December 2009, ITC and ISO published a handbook, “Building linkages for export success – Trade Promotion Organizations and National Standards Bodies working together”.  It captures the highlights of the consultation and provides additional information where relevant.  

The handbook was designed for those in NSBs, TPOs and government agencies supporting international trade to show the advantages of closer collaboration to assist exporters. The examples given are drawn from the shared experiences of participants, and can be used by developing economies in all regions to review local situations. This handbook therefore offers pointers which countries can utilize to develop approaches to open avenues for institutional collaboration between TPOs and NSBs.  

Hard copies can be ordered through the ITC and ISO websites respectively. 

You can also download the publication here: 

• Building linkages for export success – Trade Promotion Organizations and National Standard Bodies working together 
• Establecer vínculos para el éxito de las exportaciones - Colaboración entre las Organizaciones de Promoción del Comercioy los Institutos Nacionales de Normalización