The fourth meeting of the Central Asian working group to promote commercial standards for commercial product quality

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – On 25–26 September, the fourth meeting of the Central Asian working group on promoting commercial standards for commercial product quality is being held in Tashkent.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the results and plans of cooperation, as well as develop an agreed position on the implementation and promotion of commercial quality standards to stimulate the export of priority agricultural products in Central Asia.

The region of Central Asia, which has the potential to produce fresh and dried fruits and vegetables, stands in the way of solving complex issues related to the diversification of traditional markets and the search for new markets for its agricultural products. A key place in the reforms related to diversification and the search for new markets for agricultural products wass given to the recognition of international standards and the reorientation of local producers to comply with them.

Among international standards, a specific role is assigned to UNECE commercial standards related to the marketing and commercial quality control of agricultural products, which are required by recognized world markets in Europe, the USA and Asia.

Central Asian countries are beginning to actively participate in international standardization processes. At the initiative of the business community and with the support of standardization bodies and international organizations, a Central Asian working group was created, within the framework of which it was possible to coordinate and find solutions to many issues related to the development and implementation of UNECE quality standards to increase competitiveness and promote fruit and vegetable products to external markets. The activities of the Central Asian Working Group have been recognized by the UNECE Working Party on Agricultural Standards.

Tomorrow, the meeting participants will take stock of the work done, consider a number of explanatory materials for fresh and dried agricultural products, develop strategies and joint action plans to expand knowledge in the field of UNECE standards among producers, processors and exporters. The meeting agenda also included a discussion on the joint promotion of national and regional products from Central Asia through “Geographical Indications”.