July 26, 2002	Friday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 15,1423

LAHORE, July 25: Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda) and the Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote training and awareness for developing quality control systems for the small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The MoU was signed here on Thursday by Smeda chief executive officer Iqbal Mustafa and PNAC director general Abdul Rashid Khan. The MoU will be valid for one year from the date of signing and either of the two organizations may terminate the agreement with three months prior notice.

According to the MoU, Smeda and PNAC will coordinate with local trade associations for identification of their training needs and jointly promote the establishment of Quality Control Circles (QCC) to support the Crash Awareness Raising & Training Programme in the field of quality.

Further, the two organizations will look into the possibility of jointly holding National Training Workshop (NTW) with the objective of determining the role of training institutions in producing high quality manpower necessary to improve industrial productivity with ultimate target of enhancing export.

In the training programmes offered by the Smeda and the PNAC, special emphasis will be laid on enhancement of awareness of quality and productivity related issues of the SMEs.

The duration and timing of each training course will be mutually agreed and finalized between the Smeda and the PNAC, keeping in view the training needs identified by the industry. Depending upon the location, the two organizations will nominate their representatives to coordinate and monitor the day-to-day training activities.