January 23, 2025
The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has commenced the development of a National Standardization Strategy (NSS), aimed at aligning the country’s standards with international best practices.
This initiative is crucial for fostering economic growth, enhancing product quality, and increasing trade opportunities for Guyana.
A two-day workshop, which concluded on Wednesday, brought together key stakeholders, regional partners, and international organizations, including the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
The workshop marked the official launch of the NSS development process.
Trevor Bassoo, Executive Director of the GNBS, highlighted the significance of this strategy for Guyana’s future, stressing that it provides a roadmap for leveraging standards to build economic growth and ensure social progress.
The strategy will be guided by a framework of safety, quality, and reliability.
Bassoo emphasized that collaboration among government, industry, and other stakeholders is essential to ensure that the standards developed meet the needs of all sectors.
Sharonmae Smith, CEO of CROSQ, spoke on the importance of the strategy, noting that it would help harmonize national and regional standards with global benchmarks.
She explained that aligning with international standards would open doors for Guyanese products in global markets, improving trade opportunities and safeguarding consumers by ensuring higher-quality local products and services.
In support of this effort, CROSQ has pledged continued assistance to Guyana, particularly in the development of quality infrastructure.
Over the past year, 33 national standards have been approved across various sectors, including agriculture, tourism, and petroleum, further strengthening Guyana’s regulatory framework.
The GNBS will continue engaging stakeholders through additional workshops to gather input from various sectors, ensuring that the National Standardization Strategy reflects the diverse needs of the country’s industries.