Joint Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS)/CROSQ Release
The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) recently hosted twenty-five (25) marketing and communications representatives from Bureaus of Standards across the 16 CARIFORUM Member States for a three-day meeting at its Sophia, Greater Georgetown location.
The participants were members of the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality’s (CROSQ) Marketing Information Knowledge Management and Education (MIKE) Committee, alongside, INDOCAL of the Dominican Republic, which is part of the CARIFORUM union.
The MIKE Committee is one of the technical committees of CROSQ which advises on and implements strategies to promote the Quality Infrastructure (QI) within the CARICOM Region.
In her welcome remarks, GNBS Executive Director (Ag), Ms. Ramrattie Karan noted that CROSQ has been a reliable partner of the Bureau and has assisted with many notable initiatives including the National Quality Awards (NQA) Programme, the hosting of stakeholders’ sensitization sessions, and providing support to the Bureau as it works with companies to implement national and international standards.
“No doubt, the GNBS is grateful for the funding and assistance provided by this regional body, which has significantly helped the Bureau to meet its obligations to promote standards and quality in Guyana,” Ms. Karan noted. The Head of the GNBS also lauded the MIKE Committee for creating awareness on QI services in the CARICOM region.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the MIKE Committee, Ms. Samantha Banner of the Belize Bureau of Standards noted that the intent of the Committee is to create a pool of human and other resources which can be used to further promote quality in the region. “Despite the challenges, I believe we are all visionary experts with a wealth of creativity and innovation ready to take quality from the Caribbean to the world,” she said.
Immediate Past Chair, Mrs. Samantha Banner addressing fellow participants. 
CROSQ’s Technical Officer, Quality Promotions, Ms. Latoya Burnham
The three-day workshop was funded under the 11th European Development Fund – Economic Partnership Agreement Programme’s Technical Barriers to Trade Component. It was facilitated by Technical Officer, Quality Promotions at CROSQ, Ms. Latoya Burnham. The MIKE’s CROSQ Council Representative and Director of the St. Kitts and Nevis Bureau of Standards, Mr. Stuart LaPlace, and Director of the Bahamas Bureau of Standards Dr. Renae Ferguson-Bufford were among those in attendance.
Over the course of the meeting, crucial aspects and initiatives relating to the MIKE Committee are being discussed including the National Quality Awards Schemes under development by some Bureaus; the development of a policy for the sharing of technical and other information amongst Member States, and a review of the Committee’s and CROSQ’s Strategic Plans.
On day two, elections for new Committee Executives was held and Guyana was elected to chair the MIKE Committee for the next two years. The GNBS representative on that committee, Mr. Syeid Ibrahim said, “I am very happy that the GNBS and Guyana [are] continuously making impacts at the regional level,” as he pledged to continue sharing knowledge with other Standards Bureaux.
On day three, participants benefitted from a training in digital marketing and social media management, which was identified as one of the priority areas for action, given current global trends.
Meeting of the CROSQ MIKE Committee at the GNBS Head office. 
Trinidad and Tobago’s Mr. Randy Siew raising a discussion point. 
Jamaica’s Ms. Maxine Fagan leading a group presentation. 
Representatives of CARIFORUM States participating in the 8th Face-to-Face Meeting of the CROSQ MIKE Committee in Guyana.
