Come May 2015, the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) is hoping to present the region with a Council for Trade and Economic Development-approved regional quality infrastructure policy.
The last in a series of national consultations on the Regional Quality Infrastructure (RQI) Policy took place in Belize on October 10, wrapping up a process that began in Guyana on July 3, this year. The consultation had then travelled to each of the 16 CARIFORUM states for discussion and much needed feedback.
The development of the RQI Policy came out of the 10th European Development Fund Programme aimed at removing technical barriers to trade in the region, thereby increasing trade and international competitiveness of products and services within the CARIFORUM states.
CROSQ’s Technical Officer – Standards, Fulgence St. Prix said the process was a critical one for the region “because it gives the member states a framework to move forward with the development of their quality infrastructure and it also allows for a certain amount of harmonisation in the framework they develop and it further sets out responsibilities at the regional level as well. So it is really important”. (PR)
