Journalists in Guyana got a bird’s eye view of quality infrastructure, when the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ), and the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) hosted a recent media session at the Cara Lodge in Georgetown.
More than 15 journalists, from both private and state media, spent May 11th learning the ins and outs of quality infrastructure and just what it is the GNBS does, and also about the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Programme’s Technical Barriers to Trade Component.
The activity was part of the TBT Component’s attempts to engage with journalists in all CARIFORUM states to discuss the programme, and specifically the national interventions that have been taking place or that are still to unfold. In each country, the initiative is spearheaded by the national bureau of standards, along with the CROSQ Secretariat.
Among the activities in which Guyana is participating as part of the programme, are:
- International certification of Metro Office and Computer Supplies;
- Development of Online QI Courses (Guyana experts involved in creating content and individuals from the country will be able to register to participate);
- National Quality Awards, partially funded by the project;
- National Quality Dialogue with a key priority sector;
- Participation in awareness raising and promotions training;
- Participation in the creation of two standards that will be equivalent across CARIFORUM states;
- Participation in technical committee meetings; and
- Participation in a feasibility study for a regional certification scheme.
The media workshop ended with a tour of Sterling Products Ltd, which has implemented a number of quality-related systems in an attempt to ensure the health and safety of its customers, both local and abroad.
Journalists were able to observe the production of some of the company’s products, which include butter, and ice cream, and also ask questions about the role quality plays in the company’s productivity and profitability.
