Egypt’s plant quarantine gets first ISO certification in drive for export growth

Egypt’s Central Administration of Plant Quarantine (CAPQ) has received ISO 9001:2015 certification for quality management, the first time the agency has earned the international standard as it looks to bolster the nation’s agricultural exports.

The certification, which covers the protection of plants and plant products and oversight of quarantine facilities, is expected to help strengthen Egypt’s position in global agricultural markets, Agriculture Minister Alaa Farouk said in a statement Wednesday.

“This is a milestone that supports our export ambitions and reflects our push for sustainable development under Egypt’s Vision 2030,” Minister Farouk said, congratulating the plant quarantine team and urging further efforts to enhance performance and efficiency.

The certification was awarded at a ceremony at the agency’s headquarters in Cairo, where officials also handed out training certificates to staff. The administration plans to pursue additional accreditations in inspection, laboratory operations and environmental standards, according to Mohamed El-Mensy, head of plant quarantine.

The move comes as Egypt works to improve the competitiveness of its agricultural sector and expand its share of international markets, supported by government incentives and reforms.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English