ISLAMABAD, April 29: Federal Commerce Minister, Humayun Akhtar Khan said on Thursday that the next trade policy of 2004-05 will focus on enhancement of quality and standard of goods to make them competitive in the international market.

Speaking at the second meeting of task force on Quality and Standards, the minister said that the trade policy would have steps that would strengthen the national quality infrastructure. The commerce minister also stressed that coordination between various agencies and government departments was of paramount importance for effective implementation of policies.

The meeting was also attended by Adviser to Prime Minister on Science and Technology, Dr Atta-ur-Rehman. Others who attended included the secretaries of ministry of food, agriculture and live stock; science and technology, industries and production and chairman, Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).

Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman suggested that a five-year programme might be chalked out for completion of ISO certificates including ISO 9000, ISO 14000, and SA 8000. These standards would be of crucial importance in the post-quota regime, he said.

The secretary Minfal also informed the meeting that Rs300 million had been earmarked for upgradation of laboratories. At present three laboratories were in the process of upgradation, he said.

Secretary, ministry of science and technology informed the meeting that Rs5.838 billion would be spent in 5 years on infrastructure development to strengthen the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC), testing calibrating laboratories, national physical standard laboratories and fifteen inspection agencies.