The Tribune

MINISTER of Financial Services Ryan Pinder told participants in the recent Bahamas Bureau of Standards’ First National Standardisation Forum and Formation of Technical Committees Workshop that the benefits of the standards bureau are critical to the Bahamas’ national development.

“A standards system can enhance the reputation of locally-made products by assuring buyers that such products meet specified levels of quality and safety, thereby permitting domestic producers to compete more effectively not only in their own market but also in the regional and international marketplace,” Minister Pinder said at the forum held at the SuperClubs Breezes, on Cable Beach.

“The overall increase in trade flows, induced by the establishment of quality standards would benefit the Bahamas and the rest of the world economy.”

Secondly, Minister Pinder noted, such a system can encourage fair competition in the marketplace and provide necessary consumer protection by preventing unsafe products or products of inferior quality, that can be priced more cheaply, flooding local markets.

Minister Pinder said that, at the very least, the implementation of national standards will promote the following: set the level of quality, thereby allowing products to be evaluated and compared; streamline production and improve manufacturing processes; increase productivity and enhance efficiency; reduce costs for consumers and provide the basis for trade transactions.

He added that it would also promote avenues to minimise waste; ensure safety and performance; ensure that products and services perform their necessary functions and facilitate interchangeability of products and services designed for the same purpose.

“While we’ve commenced mobilising a standards bureau in the Bahamas, we must ensure that it is fully operational and is afforded the legislative teeth to ensure full compliance nationally and internationally,” Minister Pinder said. “We have started with key areas that have already been adopted by our regional counterparts and can be easily accepted nationally.”

Minister Pinder thanked all the stakeholders present for their participation in the forum and workshop, as well as for the formative planning of these technical committees, which will set the stage for the Bahamas Bureau of Standards to commence the development of national standards in the various sectors of the Bahamian economy.

“I understand that the forum achieved all of its objectives,” Minister Pinder said. “Our stakeholders are now more excited about standardisation work ahead of us that is achieved as a result of this First Standardisation Forum.

“We were able to generate a prioritised list of standards to be developed in the short, medium and long term scope of planning for the Bahamas Bureau of Standards.”

“I believe we’ve laid the groundwork for further implementation of other national standards that will benefit this country on so many levels.”