CONFERENCE REINFORCES BAHRAIN INTEREST IN

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. ¶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