As countries prepare to celebrate World Standards Day on Friday, October 14, Minister of Energy and Business, Kerrie Symmonds, is again underscoring the importance of standards.
Symmonds is of the view that whether the island is tackling financial de-risking and correspondent banking issues, confronting climate change or developing innovative ways for local micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to explore and become an invested part of the digital frontier, international standards must come into play.
The Minister made the comments in a message to mark World Standards Day 2022, which has as its theme: Shared Vision for a Better World.
He said the Barbados National Standards Institution is a driver of the country’s National Quality Infrastructure, which he described as “a critical enabler” for social progress, economic development, participation in international trade, and the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“These Goals which plan to address social inequalities, develop a sustainable economy, and slow the rate of climate change, are highly ambitious. Realistically, if they are to be achieved, Barbados will require the cooperation of our many public and private partners, and the use of all available tools, including international standards and conformity assessment,” he proffered.
Symmonds noted that the global pandemic had highlighted how critical it was to give attention to the SDGs in an inclusive manner, where increased emphasis must be paid to strengthening the resilience of societies, in ways that proved to be impartial and unbiased in the approach.
“Standards today, in an environment recovering from the scourge of the COVID-19 pandemic, are more relevant than ever, as we seek to rebuild our societies in an inclusive manner, while keeping our eyes on the development goals of national priority,” he stated. (BGIS)