SOBS Director General Holds Bilateral Meeting with Enterprise Singapore to Strengthen Standards Cooperation and Trade Facilitation

Mombasa, Kenya, 28 August 2026 – The Director General of the Somali Bureau of Standards (SOBS), Madam Hawo Ahmed Hassan, held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Sauw Kook Choy, representative of Enterprise Singapore and the Singapore Standards Council, during the 32nd General Assembly of the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) in Mombasa, Kenya. The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between Somalia and Singapore in the areas of standards harmonisation, quality infrastructure development, conformity assessment, and trade facilitation. Enterprise Singapore oversees the Singapore Standardisation Programme through the Singapore Standards Council, which works with industry stakeholders and government partners to develop, promote, and review national standards. During the discussion, Madam Hawo Ahmed Hassan highlighted the importance of aligning Somali standards with internationally recognised practices to support the competitiveness of Somali products in global markets. She emphasised that Somali products, including sesame oil and livestock products, have significant potential to access international markets through stronger cooperation, mutual recognition arrangements, and the implementation of the principle of “One Standard, One Certificate.” The SOBS Director General also shared information on investment opportunities in Somalia and presented the ongoing efforts by the Somali Bureau of Standards to strengthen the country’s National Quality Infrastructure (NQI), including standardisation, conformity assessment, metrology, and consumer protection systems. The meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to explore areas of technical cooperation, knowledge exchange, and future collaboration to reduce technical barriers to trade and support sustainable economic development. At the conclusion of the meeting, Madam Hawo Ahmed Hassan requested the support of the Singapore Government regarding Somalia’s upcoming candidacy for a seat on the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Council, Category 3 membership. The Somali Bureau of Standards (SOBS) remains committed to expanding international partnerships, strengthening Somalia’s quality infrastructure, and supporting Somali businesses to access regional and international markets.