The current government is working to make Bangladesh Standard and Testing Institution (BSTI) a strong institution of international standards. Effective initiatives have been taken by the Ministry of Industry to increase the capacity of BSTI. Recruitment of skilled manpower, modernization of equipment, establishment of world-class laboratory, launch of one-stop service etc. programs are being implemented in the institution. If these programs are fully implemented, BSTI will transform into an international standard institution.
The minister said these things in his speech as the chief guest at a discussion meeting titled ‘Today’s Measurement in Building a Sustainable Future’ organized by BSTI, an organization under the Ministry of Industry, on the occasion of World Metrology Day at Tejgaon in the capital on May 20, 2024.
Zakia Sultana, senior secretary of the Ministry of Industry and Mahbubul Alam, president of FBCCI, spoke as special guests in the discussion meeting. BSTI Director General (Grade-1) SM Ferdous Alam gave a welcome speech and vote of thanks was given by BSTI Director (Metrology) Engineer Md. Nurul Islam.
The minister said that BSTI, an ISO member institution, has been working with great reputation and success in ensuring quality consumer goods for the common consumers of the country since its inception. He said that various initiatives and steps have been taken to modernize BSTI in the context of the current global and regional system. Nurul Majeed Mahmud Humayun said, establishment of 10 regional offices with laboratories for BSTI, conversion of Chittagong and Khulna BSTI offices into offices with modern laboratories to provide assistance in import and export trade, 68 new labs for expansion of BSTI’s physics and chemistry testing laboratory. Steps have been taken to set up and modernize existing labs, issue BSTI Halal Certificates to increase exports of domestic products, set up 21 new labs and modernize existing labs and create necessary manpower to ensure modern services of weights and measures. Moreover, initiatives have been taken to expand the activities of BSTI from the department to the district level.