Bridgetown, Barbados – The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB, the Bank), CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ), in partnership with the Bureau Haïtien de Normalisation (BHN), officially launched the Capacity Building for Strengthening Quality Infrastructure in Haiti project during a virtual ceremony held on Monday, 30 June 2025.
The Chairman of CROSQ, Mr Ezra Ledger in his welcome, noted the importance of the project to advancing the regional quality infrastructure. The project is a one-year technical assistance initiative designed to enhance the institutional and technical capacity of BHN, the national standards body of Haiti. It aims to strengthen Haiti’s National Quality Infrastructure (NQI), improve service delivery, and support private sector competitiveness – particularly among Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs).
At the launch, Dr. Sharonmae Smith-Walker, Chief Executive Officer of CROSQ, drew parallels to the Haitian saying, “Men anpil, chay pa lou” – “many hands make the load lighter,” noting, “This project is a reflection of that principle, as several hands have joined together today – the EU, CDB, BHN, and other development partners – with the central focus of building depth in capacity critical to implementing a robust national quality infrastructure in Haiti.”
Implemented with funding from the European Union, the initiative is supported through the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) and Standby Facility for Capacity Building at CDB. The project is managed by CROSQ, with BHN as the national executing partner. The total project budget is EUR 342,136.
Ms. Lisa Harding, Division Chief, Private Sector at the Bank, emphasised the project’s alignment with the Bank’s new vision: “This initiative typifies the direction we are boldly embracing…by strengthening Haiti’s national quality infrastructure, we empower MSMEs, enhance consumer protection, and fuel long-term, inclusive economic growth. It is a catalyst for inclusive progress across the region.”
Speaking on behalf of the European Union, Ms. Gisela García Perez, Programme Officer for Infrastructure and Urban Development, highlighted the broader strategic context: “This project is not a mere institutional upgrade. It is a strategic intervention in support of economic transformation, trade facilitation, and regulatory empowerment. It aligns perfectly with our EPA and CSME priorities, and also with our Global Gateway objectives to build resilient institutions and support MSMEs in participating in global value chains.”
Haiti’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, the Honourable James Monazard, and the Director of the Bureau Haïtien de Normalisation (BHN) reaffirmed Haiti’s resilience and strong commitment to improving capacity at the national level. They emphasized the importance of this initiative in enhancing local quality infrastructure and empowering Haitian producers and exporters to meet international standards.
This collaboration marks a significant step toward strengthening Haiti’s integration into regional and global markets. The project’s success will contribute to building sustainable economic growth, protecting consumers, and promoting innovation across Haiti and the wider Caribbean.
The Standby Facility is a €8.75 million resource managed by CDB which offers opportunities to 15 Caribbean economies to grow trade, deepen integration and economic involvement, impact competitiveness, market access and exports by implementing targeted projects in thematic areas.
About the Project
The project aims to:
- Upgrade BHN’s ICT infrastructure to support improved service delivery;
- Deliver targeted training to BHN staff and stakeholders in conformity assessment and related quality infrastructure services;
- Develop and disseminate awareness materials to promote quality infrastructure and BHN’s services.
Expected outcomes include strengthened institutional capacity at BHN, improved access to quality infrastructure services, and enhanced ability for Haitian producers and exporters to meet international market requirements – particularly under the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement.
About CROSQ
The CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) is the regional centre for promoting efficiency and competitiveness through the development and harmonisation of standards and the strengthening of quality infrastructure across the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Headquartered in Bridgetown, Barbados, CROSQ works with national standards bodies and partners to support regional integration, economic development, trade facilitation, and consumer protection.
About the Caribbean Development Bank
The Caribbean Development Bank is a regional financial institution established in 1970 to contribute to the harmonious economic growth and development of its Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs). In addition to the 19 BMCs, CDB’s membership includes four regional, non-borrowing members, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela, and five non-regional, non-borrowing members, Canada, China, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom. CDB’s total assets in its Ordinary Capital Resources stood at US$2.02 billion as at December 31, 2024, while it also manages US$1.40 billion of Special Funds Resources. The Bank is rated Aa1 Stable by Moody’s, AA+ Stable by Standard & Poor’s and AA+ Stable by Fitch Ratings. Learn more at caribank.org
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Cassie Ann James
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Email: cassieann.james@caribank.org