InterStandards pioneers Arab initiative for website quality assurance

The website quality assurance initiative is based on global best practices and includes website advertising, design, content, security and engineering.

Speaking at a press conference organised at the Dubai Press Club, Saad Abdul Hadi, Managing Partner of InterStandards, said: "Our aim is to assist web publishers in improving the quality of their products and services by obtaining the Quality Certification. Ultimately, we seek to increase the number of quality online services and accelerate the growth of the e-business sector."

Quincy Lissaur, a representative from the British Standards Institute (BSI), said: "While businesses rely heavily on the Internet to communicate, archive and exchange documents, it is imperative to set the benchmark for online safety and security. Such initiatives will standardize Internet usage, allowing businesses to share their best practices and accurately measure the levels of quality."

Website quality standards are structured through a Quality Certification Program with the aim of awarding InterStandards Internet Quality Certificates (IQC) to qualifying websites.

Meanwhile, Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAGorg), the Arab Organization for Global Professional Services, and InterStandards signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate and accelerate the development of the Internet in the region by implementing quality standards and participating in the quality certification programme.

Under the MoU, TAGorg is responsible for quality control to ensure web development standards.

Dr. Talal Abu Ghazaleh, Chairman and CEO of Talal Abu Ghazaleh Organization, said: "TAGorg is a keen supporter of all projects focused on enhancing digital capabilities in the Arab world. The development and adherence to broadly accepted and uniform standards is a critical step in the continuing development of the Internet in the Arab region."

Mohammed Jaradat, InterStandards General Manager, said:

"This Arab initiative will enable businesses in the region to apply the latest industry best practices to their online products and services. In addition, this will ensure that business partners are copyright protected against content piracy and database theft."

InterStandards was launched in November 2005 with the aim of creating quality standards for Arab commercial websites. Developed in association with the British Standards Institution (BSI), the quality Programme is a joint initiative with Dubai Internet City and eHosting DataFort.

InterStandards will be participating at this year's GITEX from September 8-12 under the umbrella of Dubai Internet City at its Community Zone stand in the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.