The Gulf Organisation for Industrial Consulting (Goic) and technical information leader ASTM International, yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to foster co-operation and coordination in supporting the Gulf industrial sector.
Dr Ali Hamed al-Mulla, assistant secretary-general for Industrial Projects Sector, signed the MoU on behalf of Goic secretary-general Abdulaziz bin Hamad al-Ageel, together with John Pace, ASTM vice-president of Publications & Marketing.
The agreement aims to establish a framework to facilitate co-operation, co-ordination, and a working relationship between the public and private sectors in the GCC and ASTM. Furthermore, its objective is to provide online access to all ASTM standards, journals, e-Books, proceedings, bulletins, materials, research, standards, and e-Learning courses.
The MoU also explores potential collaboration in the areas of training, proficiency testing programmes, and other related new or existing products and services and to support Goic events, conferences, and exhibitions through the use of the ASTM brand, marketing channels, participation, and experts.
ASTM is a non-profit, globally-recognised leader in the development and delivery of international standards and technical information. More than 13,000 ASTM standards are used in almost every country around the world to improve product quality, enhance safety, facilitate market access and trade, and build consumer confidence. 
ASTM information, according to Goic, is widely-used in the GCC “and is essential to the success of the region.”