The D-8 Organization and the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC), an arm of the Organization for Islamic Countries (OIC), have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation, which will cover several areas, including capacity building for training, workshops and seminars on standardization, metrology and halal industries.

While signing the MoU on Monday, 12 June, 2023 in Istanbul, Türkiye, the Secretary General of D-8 Organization, Ambassador Isiaka Abdulqadir Imam and the Secretary General of SMIIC, Mr. İhsan Övüt, agreed to expand their cooperation by organizing joint workshops on halal industries, which would focus on exploiting tourism potentials in member countries of both organizations.The two dignitaries also agreed to develop a joint action plan to implement the MoU better.

In his remark, Ambassador Imam stated that the signing of MoU with SMIIC was part of hisefforts to expand D-8 Organization’s external cooperation. He further said that cooperation with other similar international bodies has contributed immensely in achieving its objective, adding that this would also serve as impetus to increase visibility of D-8 to a broader audience.

Speaking further, the Chief Scribe of D8 stressed that the MoU would enable his organization to tap into the SMIIC’s resources and its acquired knowledge, which in turn would assist in the development of halal industry and halal market-areas that holds vast potential, but remained untapped.

The SMIIC is an institute that develops necessary mechanisms for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). It aims at setting new standards in the Member States and eliminating technical barriers to trade, consequently increasing trade among them. It also aims to establish conformity assessment schemes for the purpose of expediting the exchange of materials, manufactured goods,and products among Member States, beginning with mutual recognition of certificates.