Developing the accreditation system is a priority to the Trade and Industry Ministry in the present period to increase the competitiveness and quality of Egyptian products at the local and foreign markets, Minister Tareq Qabil said.

During a meeting with the board of the Egyptian Accreditation Council (EGAC) on Monday, Qabil said certificates issued by EGAC are internationally recognized, contributing to the smooth flow of Egyptian exports to world markets.

The board had agreed to start a new project on mechanizing all the board's technical, financial and administrative activities to ease measures on the sides dealing with EGAC, he said.

For his part, Executive Director of EGAC Hany el Dessouki said the council had acquired the full membership of two of the world's largest accreditation organizations and signed agreements with them: the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and International Accreditation Forum (IAF).

EGAC is also seeking to get international recognition from the European Accreditation (EA), he said.