Last Updated on September 27, 2022, 4:34 AM AST by Anthony Morris
St Kitts and Nevis Bureau of standards (SKNBS) has collaborated with the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality to strengthen the national quality infrastructure of the country. The two organisations hope to achieve this feat by commissioning new metrology laboratory equipment. The collaboration was announced on Monday, September 26, 2022.
The equipment was provided under the “Strengthening of Regional Quality Infrastructure Programme: Procurement of Metrology Equipment to Barbados, Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis ” Project. Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is entrusted with the responsibility of managing the two-year initiative with financing from the European Union (EU)
The Europen Union is providing finances to the Project under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) CARIFORUM – European Union (EU) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) Standby Facility for Capacity Building.
Permanent-Secretary in the Ministry of International Trade, Commerce, Industry and Consumer Affairs, St Kitts and Nevis, Jasemin Warner-Weekes, said that the commissioning of the lab is historic.
She explained, “It is historic because today’s commissioning proves that partnerships can be successful if done in the true spirit of togetherness. Today’s initiative will go a long way to enhance the country’s ability to meet first-world standards in trade,”
“The Government of St Kitts and Nevis appreciates this show of cooperation and collaboration, which bolsters their facilitation of trade regionally and internationally.”
The Permanent Secretary described the initiative as timely, especially as the government “seeks to develop and expand opportunities within the agriculture sector which is at the forefront of the country’s diversification efforts.”
Permanent Secretary Warner-Weekes commended all the relevant stakeholders, especially CROSQ and CDB for their role in the Project by making sure it was a resounding success.
The upgrades will help to secure export opportunities across CARIFORUM and the European Union (EU), particularly for the manufacturing sector. The Project, implemented by the SKNBS and CROSQ, has supported the installation and calibration of new metrology equipment at the SKNBS, as well as staff training
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
