Havana - Some 600 specialists from 16 countries, including Cuba, are participating in the First International Convention on Quality, starting today at the Conference Center in Havana, Nancy Fernandez, president of the Organizing Committee, said.

Fernandez, who is also the general director of the National Standardization Bureau (NSB) told Prensa Latina that Venezuela, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Brazil, Spain, Italy and Peru are among the nations represented in this event.

The forum, to be held until Friday, October 21, will be attended by executives, specialists, businessmen, academicians, producers, importers, traders and technicians.

This first day includes a panel discussion on quality in the bio-pharmaceutical industry, a workshop on quality in non-state management, the opening of an exhibition related to the theme of the event, and the delivery of the National Quality Award of the Republic of Cuba.

Acting Secretary-General of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Kevin Mackinley, will give a keynote speech on quality management systems and sustainable development.

For his part, Sebastian Rovira, of the executive of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, will deal with quality infrastructure and its impact on the competitiveness of goods and services and the quality of life in today's society.

The convention supports sustainable development and demonstrates Cuba's strength with regard to these issues and its ability to implement them.