Member companies of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), Rosslyn, Va., who are directly involved in the Middle East electrical market persuaded the association to step up its advocacy activities devoted to the region, said a recent NEMA Currents item. In August, NEMA staff met with Taha Alshareef, commercial officer at the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia to the U.S. (and an engineer NEMA points out), to discuss the kingdom’s National Transformation Program (NTP), which was adopted in June, and continued market access for products manufactured to U.S. standards that are preferred in the market and essential to the achievement of several goals in the NTP.
During its August visit, NEMA also met with other groups that are active on standardization issues in the greater Middle East and North Africa region: American National Standards Institute, American Auto Policy Council, American Petroleum Institute, ASTM International, International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, National Fire Protection Association, and Underwriters Laboratories. Representatives of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and Department of Commerce briefed the group. The conversation touched on opportunities to connect NEMA and its members with Saudi officials visiting Washington, D.C., in the areas of standards, electrical systems, and healthcare.