Celebrating World Quality Day: Armenia hosts an event through EU-funded Quality Infrastructure project

The Republic of Armenia joined the international community in celebrating World Quality Day 2023 under the theme "Quality: Realizing Your Competitive Potential." This annual celebration in November serves as a platform for businesses and organizations worldwide to emphasize the significance of quality management, providing an opportunity to share best practices, promote awareness and achieve sustainable growth, acknowledges the success stories of organizations as well as of quality professionals across the globe.

As part of the celebration in the Republic of Armenia, an event was organized on November 14, dedicated to Quality and its role in realizing competitive potential. The event was organized by Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, supported by the EU funded project 'Support to Quality Infrastructure in Armenia,' which is implemented by UNIDO. The event aimed to support integration of National Quality Infrastructure (QI) of Armenia on international level, to raise national awareness about QI's vital role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as to acknowledge and celebrate success stories form private sector and National QI institutions.

Mr. Frank Hess, the Head of Cooperation at EU Delegation in Armenia, Ms. Nanna Skau, UN Resident Coordinator a.i. in Armenia and Ms. Zhanna Zakaryan, Head of Quality Infrastructure Development Department at the RA Ministry of Economy joined over 70 participants from the public and private sectors to engage in discussions on the role of Quality and QI services to enhance quality systems, fostering increased competitiveness in both domestic and international markets. The event also offered key stakeholders’ valuable insights into the significance of Quality Infrastructure (QI) and its components in supporting local producers to seize opportunities of CEPA, to enjoy enhanced trade capacities and get access to various markets.

Frank Hess, Head of Cooperation at EU Delegation in Armenia, addressed the audience:

“As an EU partner country, Armenia is committed to meeting European quality standards under the CEPA agreement, and we welcome the ongoing efforts. Harmonizing Armenia’s standards with those of the EU will bring Armenia’s products and services up to the expectations of customers inside the European Union. It will facilitate the country’s access to the large European market while assuring European consumers that Armenian products adhere to proper quality control, fostering a robust and mutually beneficial partnership."

Nanna Skau, UN Resident Coordinator a.i. in Armenia said in her opening remarks:

"Quality assurance is the foundation ensuring that a pyramid stands strong for generations to come. This is about trade that will enable us to move forward and give a great opportunity for Armenia to sell its products to the EU. But it is also about partnership not just about selling products. It's a long-lasting investment, providing consumers assurance and producers a commitment to uphold promised specifications."

“As we celebrate the World Quality Day, we highlight the important and key role of the quality infrastructure system in the Republic of Armenia. We believe that ensuring quality is a primary issue in the economy of every country. Whether it's a producer or a service provider in any field, it is essential to ensure quality, which is the cornerstone for a continued success, competitiveness and profitability " said Ms. Zhanna Zakaryan, Head of Quality Infrastructure Development Department at the RA Ministry of Economy.

The event included presentations on the Quality Infrastructure Institutions of the Republic of Armenia. NBSM and ARMNAB reflected on best practices and achievements, respectively in the fields of metrology, standardization, accreditation as well as on importance of their contribution in support of competitiveness of enterprises and role in Quality circle. UNIDO Technical Advisor of the Project also contributed to presentations on the topic of vital importance of Quality for competitiveness and free trade.

The insightful success stories from representatives of the Armenian private sector were presented, including those from the mineral water, light industry, wine production and a testing laboratory, which were acknowledged and celebrated with memorable souvenirs.

In conclusion of the event the video on QI services in support value chain of brandy/wine production value chain was projected. The video was produced with assistance of the Project, aiming to raise awareness on National quality infrastructure intuitions and their services for economy and wider society.

To note, "Support to Quality Infrastructure in Armenia" project, financed by the EU and implemented by UNIDO, aims to develop the capacity of the National Institute of Standards and Metrology (NBSM) to provide sustainable and internationally recognized metrology services. This effort supports Armenia in implementing the CEPA Agreement with the EU, enhancing trade competitiveness, and maximizing the benefits.