First SAARCSTAT workshop inaugurated

New Delhi, June 7 (UNI) India and Pakistan have agreed to take a lead role in the capacity building programme in classification.

While India will provide training for SAARC Statisticians in Trade Classification and Activity Classification, Pakistan will make similar arrangement in respect of Social Classifications, Health and Education.

The agreement emerged at the two day SAARCSTAT workshop which concluded here last evening. The meeting also appreciated and accepted India's offer for development of SAARC Classification of occupation.

In respect of development of comparable System of National Accounts, it was observed the level of achievement of UN system of SNA 1993 was not at equal footing among various SAARC countries. The meeting after detailed deliberations decided that India would take a lead role in training of manpower in SNA in the SAARC region. India will also provide technical support to attain GDDS of IMF. In respect of physical comparability of GDP and other economic indicators.

It was decided to use the dollar as a common currency norm till SAARC decides otherwise.

UNI SD LS RAI2047