A national workshop took place in Dakar on harmonized African standards and the certification process, marking the start of the technical assistance of the African standardization organization (ARSO) to several Senegalese SMEs in the textile, agrifood and leather sectors.
This initiative is part of the implementation of the African continental free trade area (ZLECAF) and aims to support local businesses towards certification in accordance with African standards adopted by Senegal. The objective is to strengthen their competitiveness both in African and international markets.
When this event is opened, Ibrahima Thiam, Secretary of State responsible for the development of SMEs, expressed his gratitude to ARSO. He stressed the importance of their role in the process of normative harmonization on a continental scale, a prerequisite for successful economic integration. Thiam has also highlighted the importance of such support to help companies adapt to a normative perpetual evolution framework.
According to him, harmonized standards play a crucial role in guaranteeing product quality, stimulating innovation and increasing the attraction of businesses, thus opening the way to new commercial opportunities and satisfying the growing demands of consumers and investors.
Aligned with the orientations of the Senegal 2050 vision, this workshop fits within the framework of the new national quality policy. This places quality and innovation at the heart of the development of SMEs and SMIs, which constitute around 99.8 % of the national entrepreneurial fabric.
By going beyond simple awareness of normative issues, this encounter encouraged the exchange of experiences and good practices among the various economic actors. The need for reinforced institutional cooperation has also been highlighted to make standards a key factor in the economic development of Senegal.
Jean Pierre Malou shared this information on the site of our colleagues from Sud Quotidien, by emphasizing the importance of such initiatives for local businesses.
