The Ministry of Trade on Thursday participated in a regional video conference to share its successes and progress under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Programme.
Permanent Secretary Daphne Cassell from the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Trade, Housing and the Environment made the presentation on behalf of Minister Claude Hogan and the ministry team. The press conference utilized the Video Conferencing Systems supplied through the project to the National Standards Bodies (NSB) in each Member State.
Via the live stream with colleagues which have been a part of the initiative over the past five years, Cassell said Montserrat has benefited greatly from training and technical support under the EU-funded programme.
Members discussed the significant capacity building opportunities and their increased interface with private and public sector clients in an effort to improve the quality of goods produced or used across CARICOM.
Cassell expressed heartfelt gratitude to CROSQ, and the other technical members. She said because of Montserrat’s participation a standards bill and a metrology bill are now high priority on the legislative agenda. Her ministry has revised organisation arrangements and have created a dedicated trade and quality division, and have fomally adopted a plan for a national accreditation focal point. A standards bureau, the permanent secretary added will come shortly
“We now have significant infrastructure in place due to 10th EDF fund.”
CROSQ Chairman, Mr. Jose Trejo of the Belize Bureau of Standards; the CROSQ CEO, Mr. Deryck Omar and the Project Coordinator for the 10th EDF-TBT Programme, and Ms. Karlene Russell. Directors and heads of the respective participating Bureaux also addressed the virtual meeting.
Headquartered in Barbados, CROSQ is the regional centre for promoting efficiency and competitive production in goods and services, through the process of standardization and the verification of quality. In this regard, CROSQ aims to support international competitiveness for the enhancement of social and economic development of the region.
