Dubai-UAE. 03 December 2023 – The UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) today at COP28 signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology to strengthen collaboration on quality infrastructure. Under the MoU, MoIAT will provide technical expertise to the Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality of Vietnam’s (STAMEQ) Halal Certification Agency through the UAE Halal System. The initiative is aimed at meeting the UAE’s requirements on entities issuing Halal certificates and contributes to enhancing trade between the two countries. The MoU was signed on MoIAT’s pavilion in the Green Zone of COP28, which takes place until 12 December at Expo City Dubai. It was signed by His Excellency Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and His Excellency Le Xuan Dinh, Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Science and Technology. The signing was attended by Her Excellency Dr. Farah Al Zarooni, Assistant Undersecretary for the Standards and Regulations Sector at MoIAT, alongside officials from both countries. His Excellency Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of MoIAT said: “The ministry, in line with UAE government directives, focuses on enhancing its national quality infrastructure capabilities as part of its strategic objectives. The system encompasses key pillars such as standards, accreditation, and conformity. These elements play a crucial role in facilitating trade and supporting the needs of partners, including manufacturers, suppliers, and consumers.” His Excellency referred to the UAE’s ranking in the 2022 Quality Infrastructure for Sustainable Development Index report issued by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). It is ranked first in the MENA region and 11th globally, ahead of countries including Portugal, Singapore, Finland, Denmark, and Belgium. He added: “In line with the UAE's commitment to achieving sustainable economic development, the ministry is keen on strengthening collaboration with relevant authorities globally across all fields related to quality infrastructure. MoIAT works towards harmonizing standards through partnerships with these entities to boost trade, which enhances competitiveness of national products, expands access to markets and supports the growth of Halal products.” H.E Le Xuan Dinh, Deputy Minister of Science commented: “We are delighted that the Ministry of Science and Technology of Viet Nam and the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) have signed a memorandum of understanding in Dubai. This signing will promote scientific and technological cooperation between Vietnam and the UAE in the fields of standardization, metrology, conformity assessment and the Halal ecosystem.” The MoU is aimed at fostering knowledge exchange between MoIAT and STAMEQ in line with international best practices and strengthens the UAE’s business ecosystem to attract industrial investments. The UAE is Vietnam’s main trading partner in the Arab world, accounting for 39 percent of its total trade with Arab countries. The volume of non-oil trade between the two sides reached AED 29.4 billion in 2022. The two countries are currently negotiating a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which aims to strengthen trade ties. In line with the UAE leadership’s vision and nation’s commitment to achieving climate neutrality by 2050, the ministry’s participation in COP28 is aimed at encouraging industrial corporations to embrace advanced technology solutions to enhance energy efficiency, promote sustainable practices, and adopt clean and renewable energy solutions. MoIAT aims to boost and attract local and international investments in sustainable and future industries, as well as enhance the growth, development, and competitiveness of the national industrial sector to strengthen the UAE's position as a global hub for innovation, aligning with the objectives of the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology.