Standard regional laboratory inaugurated in Herat — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): A standard laboratory for testing the quality of food, medicines and health products has been inaugurated in Herat for the southwestern zone. In a statement, the office said the laboratory was inaugurated today by Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund during his visit to Herat province. He said Afghanistan had taken initial steps towards economic growth and needed to provide products and services in line with national and international standards, while properly adhering to established standards for imported goods. He highlighted the importance of standard laboratories in this regard, saying they would help ensure the quality and credibility of products and manufactured goods. He said that from now on, the quality and authenticity of food, medicines and health products imported into Afghanistan from neighbouring and other countries would be assessed at the laboratory, helping prevent the import of low-quality, counterfeit and substandard goods. Baradar said the laboratory would also assess the quality of domestic products and contribute to expanding exports, enabling Afghan products to compete with those of other countries in terms of quality and gain greater credibility in international markets. The economic deputy prime minister strongly urged traders not to import low-quality goods into the country, saying: “As I have repeatedly urged in the past, I strongly ask you not to import…