Wilfred: Certifications are vital in commerce

KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah deputy chief minister Wilfred Madius Tangau said that standards and certifications were critical elements in commerce, especially in the global field.
“Why is that so? Credibility and trustworthiness are built when you do business face to face. How do you do that online? What gives us the confidence?
“Certifications are based on standards developed by standard bodies. This certifies businesses as they go global. There is no place in the market without certification.
“In Sabah, people say ‘got standards, got profits’,” said Wilfred.
He said this while delivering the keynote address at the launch of IPEC Global Legacy Recognition Gala Awards, scheduled to be held on July 23.
IPEC stands for International Persons Certification. The bureau is an accredited certification body under the Department of Standards, Malaysia (Standards).
IPEC Certification Bureau certifies qualified individuals with the ISO/IEC 17024 certification.
Sharing his experience, Wilfred spoke of his own work in promoting ISO/IEC 17024 – the standards for individuals – in Sabah.
“I have been facilitating the (state) government agencies to take it up. If the Kota Kinabalu City Hall can incorporate it into their work, it will improve their licensing processes,” he said.
Touching on the three-day APEC level workshop and IPEC Global Legacy Recognition Gala that will be held on July 23, Tourism Malaysia chairman Datuk Ahmad Shah Hussein Tambakau viewed the events as an opportunity to promote tourism in Malaysia.
“We want to show people what Malaysia has. In every opportunity, we will welcome (tourists) and promote Malaysia,” he said.
Ahmad added that tourism contributed nine percent of the Malaysian GDP last year.
“Income wise there is a 16.9% increase, equivalent to RM21.4 billion. I am certain that we will be able to exceed that number soon,” he said.
Ahmad added that the government has already approved RM5 million grant to finance industries that promote Malaysia to the world.
“We can have an old but iconic product to lure tourists into the country.
“Take for example The Great Wall Of China. It is as an old but iconic structure.We can do the same,” he said.
By K Pragalath