ISLAMABAD, Oct 17: A Rs23 million project for creating awareness and imparting training in the field of quality management has been launched by the science ministry.

According to a press release, issued on Wednesday, the project will be executed by Pakistan National Accreditation Council.

Owing to the poor quality image of domestic products in Pakistan, imported goods are preferred, particularly among the affluent sections of society.

Powerful advertising campaigns by multinationals have further contributed to the popularity of imported goods.

A campaign is being launched to raise awareness among exporters, industries, suppliers of services about the trade policy and regulation being framed by World Trade Organization.

To create understanding of the importance of Total Quality Management and Productivity and its application in manufacturing and service industry.

This will lead to efficient and quality production of goods and services which will lead to enhanced export and other economic activities.

Under the project seminars, workshops and training courses will be conducted in all the major industrial cities with the objective to create awareness among the industry, commerce, and consumers on the benefit of adopting quality improvement practice, to hold special training courses for improving skills in the field of quality, environment, and product certification and testing/calibration laboratories.

Under the technology development project, various programmes such as promotion of Total Quality Management and Productivity (TQM&P) and strengthening of Measurement, Standard, Testing and Quality (MSTQ) system, incentive scheme for ISO 9,000/14,000 and training of internal auditors, lead auditors, IT lead auditors have been launched for the promotion of quality assurance in different disciplines.

It is noted that some multinationals and trading houses taking advantage of this attitude and of the lack of adequate testing infrastructure and well-defined purchasing specifications, dump low grade materials and products in Pakistan.

These substandard materials, when introduced into manufacturing systems, adversely affect the quality of end products. The situation of companies in Pakistan is then made worse.

The government has embarked upon a policy of deregulation, privatization and liberalization of economy. These trends and developments will create an environment for our industry to compete both in the local and international market.

This would require up-gradation of technology, human resource development and other measures.