The close cooperation in international standardization among the ASEAN members contributes highly to the progress of intra- ASEAN trade. The cooperation of the ACCSQ brings about the benefit to the ASEAN economy.

As ACCSQ Chairman, I believe that the objective of the Committee can be accomplished only with the cooperation of NSB which are members and I rely on this cooperation. ACCSQ is supportive of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) in terms of standards and quality, mutual recognition arrangement (MRA) under CEPT. The scope of ACCSQ embraces standards harmonization, testing, laboratory accreditation, conformity assessment and information. Moreover, the cooperation of the ASEAN with the European Union and the ASEAN with Japan will also contribute to our objective.

I do hope that this project will eliminate technical barriers in international trade while protecting ASEAN interest. I also hope that the 6th ACCSQ meeting to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia in July will bring about more fruitful discussion.


MR. THIEN MEKANONTCHAI
Secretary-General of Thai Industrial Standards Institute
Chairman of the ASEAN Consultative Committee for
Standards and Quality (ACCSQ)
June 1995