ISLAMABAD, Oct 13: As World Standards Day is being observed on Sunday, the future of the country’s economy hinges on effective management of its standardisation system and participation in its development internationally.

Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) said rapid globalisation of markets and accelerating technological innovation has brought a new need for multi-disciplinary education in standards and standardisation in Pakistan to improve international competitiveness of their industries and to solve various socio-economic and environmental issues facing them.

President Asif Zardari in a message stressed the need for standardization, and said that the need for this has never been as great as it is today as Pakistan has embarked upon an aggressive policy of promoting trade with countries in the region including India and Afghanistan.

“We must firmly establish our credentials as a country observing international quality standards for environmental protection and minimising the wastage of scarce resources,” the president said.

Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf said in his message that standardisation was crucial for success in today’s challenging and competitive economic environment.  Conforming to international standards provides a level playing field for a product to perform in the global market irrespective of the country of origin, he said.—Our Reporter