36 standards, 30 testing methods approved — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Economic Commission has approved 36 drafts of national standards and 30 testing methods and also made a decision on the ownership of coal unloading, loading, processing and packaging centres in five provinces. The regular meeting of the Economic Commission, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, was held, his office said in a statement. It said that the Afghanistan Standards and Quality (ASQA) had presented 66 drafts of national standards for discussion. Following deliberations, 36 standards and 30 testing methods were approved. It added that the standards and testing methods covered agricultural products, food, medicines, textiles, chemicals and plastics, telecommunications and electricity, mining, construction materials, environmental protection and several other sectors. The meeting also discussed determining ownership of coal unloading, loading, processing and packaging centres in Paktia, Paktika, Khost, Kandahar and Nangarhar provinces. According to the statement, following a comprehensive review of the issue, it was decided that the centres in the mentioned provinces belong to the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, which will manage their affairs. The Ministry of Finance (MoF) will be responsible for its relevant duties at customs offices. The decisions made at the meeting had been forwarded to the Office of the Islamic Emirate’s leadership for final approval, the statement concluded.