New US$12M GNBS facility certifying over 500 standards commissioned

…facilitates Guyana’s competitive edge in global markets – Pres Ali

As the Guyana Government continues to heavily invest in building local capacity, President Dr Irfaan Ali said that these efforts must give Guyanese goods and services a competitive edge on the international market.
The Head of State made these remarks on Wednesday at the commissioning of the new US$12 million Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) Laboratory Facility and Administration Building at the National Exhibition Centre. Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

The new state-of-the-art lab facility offers standards in over 500 areas ranging from agriculture, energy, tourism, construction and more.
According to the Guyanese leader, this new lab facility and admin building is a representation of the high standards that the GNBS upholds in all aspects of its work. He added that investments like these lay the foundation for Guyana to enhance its competitiveness on the global market.
“As we move into manufacturing, industrial development and agro-processing [etc.], we have to be able to have in-house capacity, in-country capacity and capability to do the testing, to do the accreditation of the products because this lab and this facility will carry with it, the international accreditation that allows our local products to fit into international market by having the accreditation here locally. So, our entire future that we are building, that rests on an international marketplace, requires this foundational investment,” President Ali stated.
In setting these standards, the Head of State noted that it is important to educate the population and investors about what is required to be globally competitive. He also spoke of the importance of standardization and consistency in locally-made products to earn market trust and credibility.
President Ali said these enhanced testing and verification services by the GNBS could set Guyana’s goods and services apart.
“All of this must come together to give us a competitive edge in the market. So, if we apply the best standards, then most times, once you have this certification, your product carries a different value. It is also a form of branding when you have certain ISO standards attached to your product. It’s branding; it’s telling you that your product is consistent with any other global product in this line because we carry the same branding. So, it improves our competitiveness, our competitive capability, and improve brand development. Because if we are viewed as a destination, as a country that upholds the highest standard, then it helps our brand. It helps the Guyana brand,” the Guyanese Leader posited.
He went onto outline that another key factor to establishing and maintaining high standards is partnerships – both local and international. He pointed out that many Guyanese businesses are at a disadvantage when it comes to partnering with foreign companies simply because they do not meet the required global industry standards.

According to President Ali, his government has been making the necessary investments to bridge this gap. He added that the introduction of the Local Content Legislation played a crucial role in equipping Guyanese companies with the tools needed to forge partnership.
“We’re investing in a facility that will allow you to bridge that gap so that you will not be put at a negotiating disadvantage, or that you will not be placed in a position where you can lose partnership opportunity because you’re operating a different level… And the Local Content Legislation provides a basis for private sector participation. But private sector participation can be stymied if we don’t have the institutions and infrastructure to help them to meet the standards so they can go to the companies and say, ‘we have the standard. We are certified’,” the Head of State noted.
Moreover, the president outlined that the improved competitiveness and competitive capacity of Guyanese businesses and locally-made goods also opens up opportunities for the private sector to access finance from global institutions like the Inter-American Development (IDB), which funded the US$12 million-GNBS lab facility and admin building through a loan.
“We have seen IDB Invest in the private sector. And the Country Rep for the IDB will tell you that future investment from IDB Invest will become easier once standards are up held and standards are part of the culture of the society,” he noted.

Opportunities
Similar sentiments were expressed by IDB Country Representative in Guyana, Lorena Solórzano Salaza, who lauded Guyana’s efforts to strengthen and enhance the private sector’s business opportunities.
Funded under the ‘Enhancing the National Quality Infrastructure for Competitiveness’ project, this facility, the IDB Rep noted, will meet the needs of Guyana’s growing economy.
“To meet the evolving economic needs of the country, it necessitated a larger facility to support the growing demands in the various sectors… Guyana is on the path to ensure sustainable development by the diversification of its economy. The new laboratory will facilitate and play a pivotal role in this diversification by providing essential services in multiple industries,” she noted.
Equipped with advanced technology and highly-trained personnel, Salaza believes that the new lab facility will position Guyana and Guyanese businesses to face the challenges of a rapidly-growing economy in a highly-competitive global market.
“Today, the international market, local markets in the different jurisdictions are demand for more quality, traceability, certification, verification because the consumer is the core centre of the business. So, I think this [facility] a great example of how this country is meeting the international standards too,” the IDB Rep stated.

Harness full potential
Meanwhile, Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Oneidge Walrond, outlined that the GNBS has played a major role in building competitiveness among businesses as well as protect consumers. These, she added, will be significantly enhanced with this new facility.
“This facility will allow the GNBS to provide over 500 standards covering agriculture, energy, tourism, construction and more. And by embedding standards in our national psyche, we are creating a culture of excellence that benefits citizens and businesses alike. And as minister, I am particularly proud of our government’s investment in building up of GNBS’s capacity as this reflects our unwavering commitment to empowering the private sector, fostering public trust and positioning Guyana as a global leader in quality assurance,” the minister stated.
The Bureau offers calibration services and testing of critical products such construction materials – concrete blocks – and gold jewellery. Additionally, it offers certification in a number of areas including the ‘Made in Guyana’ brand, under which over 50 local businesses have been certified since April 2022.
The GNBS has also issued 40 laboratory certifications to medical and industrial testing facilities across Guyana as well as the introduction of a ‘Bed and Breakfast’ certification.
Minister Walrond encouraged the Bureau to harness the full potential of the new facility and build on the efforts to make Guyana a beckon of competitiveness. (G8)