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Cablegate: Conference Reinforces Bahrain Interest In

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS MANAMA 000734

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ARP
DEPT PASS USTR JASON BUNTIN
COMMERCE FOR CLOUSTAUNAU, NWIEGLER AND NIST

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD BA WTO
SUBJECT: CONFERENCE REINFORCES BAHRAIN INTEREST IN
POST-ICCP GCC METROLOGY SYSTEM


1. NIST's Stephen Carpenter briefed ECON on May 10 regarding
response to his participation at the Second Middle East
Measurement and Instrumentation Conference and Exhibition.
Carpenter reported that Bahrain is interested in setting up
for the Gulf a regional metrology system to complement the
existing five regional centers in the EU, Americas,
Asia-Pacific, Former Soviet States and Southern Africa.
Carpenter said that Assistant Undersecretary of Commerce
Ahmed Isa Bubshait approached him to request assistance in
organizing a metrology center and possibly a calibration
laboratory in Bahrain. Carpenter added that UAE Deputy
Director General of Metrology Rashid bin Fahad seemed
supportive of Bahrain's proposed undertaking. Carpenter told
ECON that he encouraged Bubshait first of all to bring
together representatives from other Gulf countries to seek
uniformity and agreement. At that point NIST could share its
experiences in organizing the system in the Americas,
Carpenter said. The project, he noted, would require a needs
assessment for each of the potentially involved countries, a
determination of the organization's structure, establishment
of the system's objectives, and a study of regional training
needs and ways to satisfy them.

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2. COMMENT: Ministry of Commerce officials repeatedly have
indicated to post their interest in setting up testing labs
and a metrology system for the region in Bahrain. Bubshait's
approaching Carpenter signals that this interest is serious
and persistent. Testing labs would be a new industry for
Bahrain, one that fits with the type of clean industry
Bahrain hopes to attract. The establishment of regional
testing labs in Bahrain would create jobs and thus support
the success of a bilateral Free Trade Agreement.
Furthermore, following up on Bubshait's request will allow us
an opportunity to help shape a workable post-ICCP standards
system for the Gulf. END COMMENT.

3. Stephen Carpenter did not clear this cable.
NEUMANN

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