KATHMANDU: The 15th international conference of the Asian Network for Quality (ANQ) has started at Soaltee Crowne Plaza in the Capital on Wednesday.

Minister for Industry Sunil Bahadur Thapa today inaugurated the three-day conference where quality experts from 15 Asian countries are taking part.

Minister Thapa said that it was the duty of government and service providers to ensure quality goods and services to the consumers.

"The industrialists should be ready to implement the criteria on quality determined by the State. Quality helps improve life of people and enhance their performance," said Thapa.

Programme Coordinator Janardan Ghimire said that the event was being held in the country for the first time.

He was of the confidence that the event would be helpful in devising strategy to ensure quality products and services to consumers.

The conference would deliberate on the issues such as leadership development, culture of quality, enhancing quality of public services, sustainable development and social responsibility among others.

ANQ is a non-profit organisation that unites 17 national quality organisations operating in Asian countries.