NAMILCO products receive “Made in Guyana” certification

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) on Wednesday certified two products manufactured by the National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO) with the GNBS “Made in Guyana” certification mark.

The company can now use the GNBS-approved “Made in Guyana” certification mark on the packaging of their wheat flour (Thunderbolt)- sizes (1kg, 2kg, 10kg, 22.5kg, 45kg) and their Maid Marian self-rising flour (sizes 1kg and 2kg).
In a brief ceremony held at Parc Rayne in Rahaman’s Park, EBD, GNBS Executive Director (ag) Ramrattie Karan noted that the Bureau aims to help local businesses achieve a sense of pride and a higher level of competitiveness.
She said the mark was launched in October 2021, and at the start of this year, the GNBS began accepting applications.
“There were a number of companies that submitted their applications, and the response to the certification has been overwhelming from the Private Sector,” she said.
This certification mark will add to Namilco’s already existing ISO 9001 Certification, which was granted by SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company.
According to Karan, Namilco, being an ISO 9001-certified company, will not be subjected to civilian audit by the Bureau of Standards for the “Maid in Guyana” certification.
“It brings benefits once you are certified to an international standard, then the Bureau of Standards cannot repeat or reaudit you for those requirements, and that reduces costs, it reduces your staff time to be with the auditors ever so often”, she said.
Meanwhile, in her address, NAMILCO’s Quality Manager Taijawattie Williams said the mark came at a time when people are been scammed into purchasing products that are not from a specific company.
She said it is necessary that their products have the “Made in Guyana” mark, rather than just the name, expiration date, and ingredients.
“…NAMILCO is the only flour mill in Guyana. Consumers often assume that these flours are milled and packaged by NAMILCO. They are easily misled into thinking the flour is made in Guyana, and expect to hold NAMILCO liable,” Williams explained.
Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) Vice President Ramsay Ali has underscored the role Bureau of Standards Officers across Guyana must play in pushing businesses to receive this accreditation. He further highlighted GMSA’s commitment to pushing the certification mark by encouraging and working with members to receive the “Made in Guyana” certification.
“Between the GNBS and the Private Sector, it must be ensured that the mark is not just a sticker. It must be a good marketing tool that represents a company meeting standards, ensuring quality, etc. It must be a mark of business; not politics or anything else.”
Speaking on behalf of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond, Director of Business, John Edghill, noted that the Government has placed much emphasis on this “Made in Guyana” certification drive, and, according to him, it is not without merit.
“Guyana is now in the global spotlight, and international companies are constantly seeking trading partners and investment opportunities… This places us on the world stage, not just for prominence, but at this esteemed level, demands greater expectations of our companies, processes, and standards. We are in the big league; it is no longer business as usual”, he explained.
The “Made in Guyana” certification mark is a prestigious mark which was unveiled by First Lady Arya Ali at the GNBS’ National Quality Awards Ceremony in October 2021. It is a registered mark that aims to provide recognition to locally manufactured products on the local and international markets, and is a signature of quality for authentic Guyanese products.
Among the requirements to become certified are that manufacturers are required to use at least 60 per cent raw materials from Guyana, and to employ 70% Guyanese staff. (G9)