LAHORE: Federal Minister for Science, Technology and Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain has said the government is working to ensure quality and standard of all products manufactured at medium and small level enterprises.
Talking to the media at a launching ceremony of Certification Incentive Programme for SMEs Under PQI (Productivity, Quality and Innovation) initiatives organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology at a local hotel on Saturday, he said initially an amount of Rs 750 million had been allocated for the project of certification of the SMEs, however, more amount would be approved for the project later.
He said only fiver per cent of the SMEs were certified in any level by the authorities and rest of the SMEs were working without any certification of quality and standard.
The minister said different fee would be charged from the SMEs on certification according to the certificates.
To a question, he said it was priority of the government to resolve issues with the neighbouring countries, including India, through dialogues.
Regarding situation on the Line of Control, the minister said Pakistani forces were ready to respond strictly if enemy chose the confrontation.
He said Pakistan had achieved several successes during the last three and half years and victory in several by-polls and local bodies election proved popularity of the PML-N government.
To a question about the statements of PTI leaders, he said the "Dharna Party" leaders looked worried as they had failed in their designs against the government and development of the country.
On the issue of Panama Leaks, he said it was a baseless issue and the PTI wanted to pull the case in the court till the next elections to get benefits from it but the PTI would not be able to prove any allegations in the court.
Earlier, in his address, the minister said the government wanted quality certification of 100 per cent of the SMEs, adding that merit and transparency would be ensured in the process of certification.
He said it was imperative that a sound certification system for the recognition of credible products and services should be put in place to enhance credibility to compete the world market.
"These objectives can only be achieved through implementation of globally accepted norms and standards of productivity, quality and innovation," he added.
Project Manager Shaheen Raja gave a briefing about the project while Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industries (LCCI) President Abdul Basit and Chairman PCSIR Iftekhar Alam also addressed the ceremony.
Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2016
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