Domestic and foreign companies ought to fix their eyes on “Quality” as a vital means to penetrate into the international market. Doing so, in additional to expanding and sustaining their businesses, will also promote the image of the country as a whole.
In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald, Ethiopian Quality Award Organization (EQA) CEO Tewodros Mebratu said that in a country that aspires to achieve economic progress, quality is the right track to meet the aspirations. Promoting local product is promoting the country, says Tewodros adding that countries that produce brand products are not only selling their particular items but they also sell the good images of their respective countries.
However, it must be noted that quality is not an overnight process. It needs time and investment. It also needs perseverance of producers and service providers. What is more, identifying those who supply and recognize these same companies would further stimulate others to come to the quality track. The issue of quality is not all about producing a particular good or offering a kind of service. It is all about national issue.
The more one produces quality goods and provides quality service is the better favorable the country’s image is. Tewodros said EQA awards companies annually to promote quality product and services. An eight-member board with FDRE President Sahlework Zewde serving as its patron oversees the effectiveness and fairness of the awards.
Since its inception Ethiopian Quality Award (EQA) has awarded 66 organizations for their paramount excellence in their products and services. Tewodros said since its commencement about 349 institutions and organizations have competed to get the awards.
“The selection criteria for the award are good leadership, policy and strategy, resource utilization, customer satisfaction, socio-economic impact, productivity, and business performance.” For the last consecutive years, Ethiopian Quality Award Organization (EQA) has been awarding institutions and organizations in a bid to encourage quality services in the areas of manufacturing, higher education, health, construction and producers after assessing their quality systems.
The Ethiopian Herald April 10/2020
BY MISGANAW ASNAKE
