Syria has reactivated its membership in the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries, or SMIIC, a body affiliated with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The step marks a major milestone for a country seeking to rebuild its quality infrastructure after years of conflict that weakened oversight, damaged institutions, and created inconsistencies in standards across key sectors. Officials view the reinstatement as an important opening for reintegrating Syria’s economy into the regional and international standardization system.
Strategic Move Ends Isolation
Engineer Yassir Alaiwi, director-general of the Syrian Arab Authority for Standardization and Metrology, described the accession as an end to years of technical and institutional isolation. He said the move strengthens Syria’s international presence, facilitates the exchange of expertise with member states, especially in fields such as food industries, pharmaceuticals, and crafts, and helps unify production standards in a way that improves the competitiveness of Syrian products in a consumer market exceeding 1.8 billion people.
Experts emphasize that the real impact of Syria’s return to SMIIC will depend on practical implementation. Economic development specialist Dr. Zubaida al-Qablan said the priority is restoring confidence in Syrian products through credible quality certification and clear, unified standards. She added that aligning with SMIIC criteria also helps Syria converge more quickly with international norms such as ISO, which simplifies future trade and supports a business environment that encourages industrial investment.
Economic expert Dr. Muhammad Shabaan noted that membership alone is not enough. He stressed the need to update outdated technical legislation and harmonize domestic specifications with SMIIC standards. He also pointed to the importance of building national capacity through training, increasing participation in international technical committees, and involving industrialists in drafting standards so that they are applicable and effective. He added that accredited national laboratories are essential to ensure that quality certifications are trusted and internationally recognized.
Joining SMIIC Boosts Economy
Syria’s accession to SMIIC signals more than institutional reform; it reflects the state’s return to international standardization efforts and a renewed drive to rehabilitate its economy. The move is expected to strengthen confidence in Syrian exports and support the country’s reentry into regional markets.
SMIIC serves as a technical body responsible for unifying standards among member states, promoting accreditation and quality systems, and facilitating trade through mutual recognition of conformity certificates. Last week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the reactivation of Syria’s membership after more than 12 years of suspension. The decision reaffirms Syria’s commitment to international standards and its intention to modernize its institutional framework in support of sustainable development and improved economic competitiveness.
