The government is working to upgrade the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) into an international standards institution, Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun said on Monday.
“Effective measures have been taken by the Ministry of Industries to increase the capacity of BSTI,” he said while addressing a discussion titled "We Measure Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow" organised on the occasion of World Metrology Day held at the BSTI meeting room in the capital's Tejgaon.
He said that different initiatives, like the recruitment of skilled manpower, modernization of equipment, the establishment of world-class laboratories, and the launch of one-stop services, are being implemented in the institution.
"If these programmes are fully implemented, BSTI will transform into an international standard institution," he stated.
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He said that the BSTI, as an ISO member institution, has been running its operations successfully with the sole efforts of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman since its inception to ensure quality goods for the common consumers of the country.
Humayun said that various initiatives and steps have been taken to modernise BSTI in the context of global and regional order.
He further stated that work is on to establish 10 regional offices with laboratories for BSTI, Chattogram, and Khulna. BSTI offices are being upgraded into offices with modern laboratories to provide assistance in import and export trade.
He said that some 68 new labs are being established while the existing labs are being modernised, BSTI halal certificates are being provided to boost the export of local products, and some 21 new labs are also being set up to provide modern services on weight and measurement.
Besides, steps have been taken to expand the activities of BSTI from the division to the district level.
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The minister said proper measurement is an important measure of the efforts of the United Nations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
It plays a vital role in understanding and dealing with environmental challenges like climate change and air pollution.
"Through proper calculation and monitoring, the amount of carbon in the environment will be known, which will in turn play a supporting role in preventing carbon pollution."
Industries Ministry Senior Secretary Zakia Sultana, President of FBCCI Mahbubul Alam spoke as special guests.
Among others, Director General of BSTI SM Ferdous Alam and Director (Metrology) Engineer Md. Nurul Islam also spoke.