In the afternoon of July 9th, 2020 Honorable Soraya Hakuziyaremye Minister of Trade and Industry paid a visit to Rwanda Standards Board (RSB).

The Minister was visit aimed to collect updates on standardization services in the country and how the services are positioned to support the national socioeconomic transformation journey the country is in. Following welcoming remarks by the RSB Board of Directors Chairman Dr. Emile Bienvenue, Mr. Raymond MURENZI Director General made an overview brief on progress made in standardization, Metrology, Testing and Certification services to support industry and trade promotion. The Director General noted that the standardization sector has registered tremendous achievements in all its angles. He noted that more than 2800 National Standards have been developed and standards users can now have access to more than 60, 000 regional and International Standards to shape and produce quality and safe products.  He remarked that RSB focus was also put in participating in international standards setting activities to ensure the country’s voice in standardization and designing technical requirements is heard and valued.

The Director General further noted that capacity was built through establishing trustworthy conformity assessment (Testing and Certification) and Metrology services. Continual upgrade of the scope for National Quality Testing Laboratories and Metrology Laboratories was paired with acquisition of accreditation of the laboratories to ensure the services rendered are recognized at regional and international levels.  In addition to this, RSB acquired accreditation of certification services to facilitate market access for Made in Rwanda products and services.
 
Also during the visit, Honorable Minister visited the Made in Rwanda Logo Encoding Centre. The Centre is home to the Track and Trace technology that was introduced by RSB to ensure traceability of compliance and/or non-compliance with quality standards for products traded on the market. The technology is used to provide customers with info on imported products, Calibration and Verification of measuring equipment such as weighing balances, fuel dispensers, etc; and other official documents that witness compliance with requirements for the services offered. The technology also helps fight counterfeits.
 
The Minister also visited materials testing labs offering testing services for Personal Protective Equipment (Medical and Barrier Masks) that are used to contain the spread of COVID-19.  Winding up the visit, the Minister in her remarks appreciated efforts being vested in standardization services to have internationally recognized services that boost competitiveness of Made in Rwanda products and services at domestic, regional and international markets; in addition to Consumer protection. She emphasized that the services offered are expected to play an important role in ensuring economic recovery in the post-COVID-19 period through building the capacity of SMEs and industries, thus assuring industrial growth via promoting trade and competitive exports.