The implementation of the National Quality Policy is expected to facilitate Barbados’ access to global markets and enhance the competitiveness of its goods and services.
Chairman of the Barbados National Standards Institution (BNSI), Ryan Brathwaite, shared this today as he addressed the virtual launch of the ISO 9001 training initiative: Get Certified, Get Recognized, Get Global Business.
Mr. Brathwaite told the large audience that the BNSI developed a Draft National Quality Policy in 2021 because it was recognised that Barbados needed a sound quality infrastructure.
“Upon implementation, the policy is expected to facilitate Barbados’ access to global markets and enhance the competitiveness of our goods and services; produce and strengthen the capacity of micro, small and medium enterprises, and assist entrepreneurs to flourish and succeed in the domestic, intra-regional and extra-regional markets.
“The policy will establish the institutional framework needed to implement quality initiatives across all sectors of the Barbadian society. The deployment of quality as a competitive strategy is expected to continuously improve the quality of our goods and services and increase productivity in an environment where businesses badly need a boost,” the Chairman explained.
He said in order to exploit foreign markets, Barbados’ industry must have access to an internationally recognised but supportive National Quality Infrastructure that could provide the required evidence of product and service compliance.
Mr. Brathwaite noted that in its 2022-2023 work programme, the BNSI committed to maximising the potential for trade and exports to spur economic growth, as well as to promote a culture of consumerism and entrepreneurship, through public education, mentorship, counselling and training.
He underscored the importance of the ISO 9001 sessions and stated that on completion of the training and certification, the achievements of the participants would be displayed on the BNSI’s website and social media platforms, thus providing a directory where international clients could reach them.
Chief Executive Officer of the CARICOM Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ), Deryck Omar, described the training programme as “timely and hugely beneficial” to local businesses, given the current economic climate here and globally.
Mr. Omar continued: “CROSQ supports this training initiative of the BNSI and views this programme as a crucial step in the implementation of the National Quality Policy of Barbados, which is expected to facilitate Barbados’ access to the global market and enhance the competitiveness of its goods and services.”
Acting Director of the BNSI, Hadyn Rhynd, said many of the participants had expressed an interest in having their businesses assessed at the end of the training, and certified to the principles of the ISO 9001. ISO 9001 has been defined as “the international standard that specifies requirements for a quality management system.
Organisations use the standard to demonstrate the ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements”.