International Organization for Standardisation (ISO) secretary-general Rob Steele is in Fiji to meet with ISO members, academia and stakeholders.
“I’ve met with the University of the South Pacific and a couple of the other universities today and also with the Training Standard Authority board as well,” Mr Steel said.
The topic of discussion is how international standard helps trade and how ISO might help Fiji and the Fijian economy.
“Fiji is obviously a hub for the region, in terms of expertise and knowledge, particularly in training areas,” he said.
Steele is optimistic there is opportunity for more involvement in international standard from Fijian industry.
“It is quite simple that international standard really helps enable trade,” Mr Steele said.
“If you are not developing those standards that are of interest to the country such as fishing, mining and timber you are a standards taker rather than a standard maker.”
“It is through this kind of opportunity that Fiji can maximize the returns from her exports.
“I suggested the Training Standard Authority actually do a stock take. They look at what is off interest to Fiji they look at for Fiji and match that with work that ISO is doing.”
He advised that we took stock and match what we had with the 200 technical committees at ISO and the 3,300 working groups.
L-R - Director Trade and Standards Anare Vadei and Rob Steele, ISO Secretary-General