08/06/2026
The 11th Meeting of the Governing Board (GB) of the South Asian Regional Standards Organization (SARSO) was successfully held on 03–04 June 2026 in virtual mode under the Chairpersonship of Mr. Kazi Emdadul Haque, Director General of the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), Bangladesh, and Chairperson of the Governing Board of SARSO.
The opening session was attended by representatives of the SAARC Secretariat, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, Members of the Governing Board, the Chairpersons of the Technical Management Board (TMB) and the Board for Conformity Assessment (BCA), National Focal Points of the SAARC Member States, and officials of the SARSO Secretariat.
The meeting was formally inaugurated by Mr. Bhavesh R. Trivedi, Director (Economic, Trade and Finance), representing His Excellency the Secretary General of SAARC.
Mr. A.K.M. Shahidul Karim, Additional Foreign Secretary (SAARC, BIMSTEC and Other Priority Matters), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, delivered remarks emphasizing the significance of regional harmonization through standards and conformity assessment in facilitating trade, reducing technical barriers, and promoting sustainable development.
Ms. Chenzom, Officer-in-Charge (OIC) and Director (Standardization) of SARSO, welcomed the delegates and facilitated the proceedings.
While the Chairperson presided from Bangladesh, all other delegates participated virtually. The meeting reaffirmed the importance of regional cooperation in standards harmonization and conformity assessment to strengthen trade facilitation, consumer protection, innovation, and sustainable economic growth across South Asia.
SARSO remains committed to advancing regional integration through standardization and conformity assessment for the collective benefit of all SAARC Member States.
