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Commodity Policies and Trade
91.
The FAO Intergovernmental Groups (IGGs) on Rice, Meat, Oilseeds, Oils and Fats, Tea, Jute, Hard Fibres, Citrus and Bananas continued to review policy changes, market situation and outlook, relating to these commodities which are of interest to the Region, in the light of broad objectives set by guidelines for national and international action. The IGG on Jute and Hard Fibres continued to operate indicative price arrangements. An ad hoc working group was set up to report on tea promotion and progress made by exporting countries in implementing quality standards.
92.
When GATT's Second Account of the Common Fund becomes operational and lending operations commence, the IGGS are expected to play an important role as international commodity bodies for sponsoring and following up projects to be financed under the Second Account. The Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) has recommended to the Director-General that such a request be made to the Common Fund.
Food Security
93.
FAO's Food Security Assistance Scheme (FSAS) continued to aim at strengthening institutional and physical food security infrastructure in countries of the Region. It assisted Bangladesh and Bhutan in strengthening organization and management of their national food agencies; Laos, in formulating a national food security programme; and Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan in improving their food information and early warning systems. Early indications were encouraging. Some reorganization, has taken place, new procedures and methods instituted and several agencies are now working without outside assistance.
94.
FAO also pursued its objective of improving skills in food security policy analysis, formulation and implementation. Several training courses were undertaken in South Asian countries in collaboration with FAO's sub- regional project on foodgrain supply management and determinatin of optimum reserve stock levels as well as with the Association of Food Marketing Agencies in Asia and the Pacific. Fifty senior officials involved with food security policy were trained.
IX.
FISHERIES
Fisheries Information
95.
The Indo-Pacific Tuna Programme compiled and disseminated regional statistics on the status and exploitation of tuna stocks. FAO cooperated with the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) in harmonizing the collection and reporting of fishery statistics for the South China Sea area. In Western Samoa assistance was provided under the Technical Cooperation Programme in introducting concepts of collection and interpretation of fishery data and the training of data collectors. Cooperation continued between FAO and the Institute of Marine Scientific and Technical Information (IMSTI) Tianjin, China. In 1989 the Institute was assisted in preparing a Chinese language guide for the use of the Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA) data base. Assistance was also provided to field projects in China and the Democratic People's Republic of
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