Kathmandu: A day-long seminar on role of the CODEX (International Food Standard Policies in the Food Trade) concluded here, today. The seminar was aimed at finding out ways on how to make the food items more healthy and acceptable for safety of health of the consumers by improving upon the process of production, gradation and food rules systems.

Speaking at the seminar, Director General of the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Dr. Tika Bahadur Karki expressed the belief that the trade will be expanded with the removal of the uncertainties on quality of food items if we are successful in applying the internationally recognised food standard, quality measurement and food regulations in the context that we are going to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO) by adopting liberal economy and global market policies.

He also informed that Nepal had acquired the membership of CODEX in 1971.

Managing director of the Agriculture Industries Centre Dr. Dev Bhakta Shakya said the concept that our food production has no quality standard will prove wrong if scientific tests are conducted in order to globalise our productions. Deputy Director General of the Department Dip Jung Shaha informed that the CODEX concept has been approved by 163 countries around the world.

Under secretary at the Home Ministry Ganesh Prasad Dhakal while admitting that the food standard fixation and consumer protection has not been in the priority list of the government, said that the ministry will cooperate if the importance of CODEX is highlighted by such programmes.Also speaking on the occasion were president of the consumers forum Kathmandu Dil Ratna Shakya and advocate Durgabandhu Pokhrel

Menwhile, in Biratnagar, an introductory seminar on consumer price statistics was organised at the Nepal Rastra Bank Biratnagar branch office, recently. At the seminar, outgoing chairman of the Morang Trade Association Udaya Raj Ojha said the industrialists and businessmen are always ready to provide correct statistics as it will help formulate objective economic policies. Acting manager of the branch Shankar Prasad Acharya from the chair said the bank has now initiated works to find out the exact rate of inflation with the help of consumer price index and the wholesale price index.

The programme was participated in by 63 individuals including local businessmen, consumers and bank officers, assistant manager of the branch Ramesh Dahal and businessman Gangabishan Rathi also expressed their views.