Commerce and Industry Minister Wilson Tarpeh has said the government is committed to adopting the metric system to promote accountability and transparency in trade.

The metric system is an international system of measurement adopted universally with the US, Liberia and Myanmar being the only exceptions.

Minister Tarpeh who spoke at the celebration of the World Met++++++-+++++-rology Day in Liberia, organized by the National Standards Laboratory on May 24, explained that the government is aware that if it does not adopt the metric system, local manufacturers will find it difficult to benefit from the various ECOWAS trade agreements.

He added they are also aware that no quantity can be correctly and consistently measured without metrology and metrological infrastructure.

“International agreements and decisions concerning trade and the social well-being of people increasingly require mutual recognition of measurements and tests among nations. The absence of such mutual recognition is considered a non-tariff technical barrier to trade and an impediment to environmental and health related decision making.

“All of these agreements rest upon the development of equivalence of national measurement standard and the reliability of the link between national measurement standard and the relevant testing services in each country,” Min. Tarpeh said.

The minister therefore challenged participants at the celebration to develop a policy that will lead the government to adopt the metric system.

“Ware aware that to develop as a prosperous and industrialized nation and to gain competitive edge both within the ECOWAS region and on the global stage, there is no other choice than to rely on a developed national quality infrastructure that will provide the needed services to local producers and service providers.

“The government will remain dedicated to following steps ECOWAS member states took to adopt the metric system to strengthen trade and industrialization, protection of health and safety of the consumers and the environment.

The program was attended by several partners including EU, UNIDO, and the ECOWAS commission, who have all contributed tremendous support to the development of metrology in Liberia.