Senate's special committee on WTO has emphasised the need to improve the quality and standard of Pakistani products to make them more competitive in the international market.
The committee, which met here at the Parliament House on Saturday, with Minister for Privatisation and Investment, Dr Hafeez Shaikh in chair, was of the view that aspect of improving quality, productivity and quality control should be given top priority to face the challenges of WTO.
The committee was given a comprehensive briefing on the National Quality Policy and Plan (NQP&P) by DG Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC), Engr. Abdul Rashid.
The committee was informed that the NQP&P envisages strengthening of national quality infrastructure to achieve accelerated economic growth, export enhancement to ensure supply of safe and quality products in the local market at competitive prices, and contribute towards environment protection.
The action plan consists of projects and programmes supporting industry, agriculture and service sectors to enhance their technological capabilities and competitiveness.
Under the NQP&P, specialised technical training courses will be conducted and quality awards both in the public and private sector as well as in the schools, colleges and universities will be launched to enhance competitiveness.
The committee was told that the government will strengthen the dissemination of technology information, provide incentives for innovations and wherever necessary establish cluster councils to improve the products and services offered by various sectors of the economy.
The standards, certification and accreditation infrastructure will be strengthened according to international requirements.
The NQP&P also suggests measures to protect rights of the consumers through development of a regulatory mechanism, product certification and other conformity assessment schemes.
An investment of approximately Rs 10 billion was proposed for implementation of various projects and programmes of NQP&P in the next five years.
The members took keen interest in deliberations of the committee and appreciated the comprehensive presentation given by DG. PNAC and fully supported early approval of the plan by the Cabinet to meet WTO challenges.
The meeting was attended by Senators, Professor Khurshid Ahmed, Dr Mohammad Akbar Khawaja, Mohammad Abbas Komaili, Chaudhry Mohammad Anwar Bhinder, Minister of State for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis, Mir Mohammad Naseer Mengal, Secretary Science and Technology, Khawaja Zaheer Ahmed and senior officials of the Ministry.