The CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ), in collaboration with the German National Metrology Institute (PTB) and the Dominican Institute for Quality (INDOCAL), is implementing a new €3 million initiative to strengthen Quality Infrastructure (QI) across CARIFORUM states. Funded by the European Union (EU), through the– Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Support Programme, the initiative will run until November 2027.
Termed the “Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Phase III Project”, the initiative will strengthen regional and national Quality Infrastructure (QI) frameworks and institutions, enhance the competencies of private and public sector Quality Infrastructure organisations, and raise awareness of the value of Quality Infrastructure to the region’s development.
The project will benefit 15 CARIFORUM Member States – Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.
Support to national and regional QI systems will include:
- Development of QI-related policies, regulations, and frameworks that align with international best practices,
- Preparation of enterprises and institutions for accreditation and certification,
- Training for public and private sector organisations to strengthen technical expertise,
- Promotion of QI services to increase awareness and uptake among businesses, and
- Implementation of National Quality Awards (NQA) programmes to showcase excellence.
CEO of CROSQ, Dr. Sharonmae Smith-Walker explained that through this initiative, businesses will gain greater ability to meet international standards, expand exports, and gain consumer trust. Governments and institutions will also benefit from stronger regulatory systems, improved policy alignment, and greater capacity to deliver QI services. She further noted that consumers will benefit from safer, higher-quality goods and services across the region.
Mr. Sheldon Jackman, project manager with the EU Delegation to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean remarked on the EU’s continued partnership within CARIFORUM,“The European Union is proud to support this new phase of strengthening Quality Infrastructure in CARIFORUM. By empowering businesses, governments, and institutions to meet international standards, this initiative will boost trade, enhance competitiveness, and deliver safer, higher-quality goods and services to Caribbean consumers.”
Partners (PTB) and INDOCAL, who serve as project managers and project implementers respectively, noted their excitement at collaborating with CROSQ once again, coming on the heels of the successful implementation of the last EU-funded, joint programme.
Mr. Moritz Ackermann, PTB’s Head of Subsection Institutional Partnerships noted they were pleased to build on the achievements of previous EU-funded projects. “By supporting quality infrastructure and strengthening regional trade and economic cooperation in the Caribbean, this follow-up project will have a significant impact on the improvement of trade opportunities, creating new possibilities for enterprises and enhancing their integration into the world economy.”
Eng. Néstor Julio Matos Ureña, Director General of the Dominican Institute for Quality (INDOCAL), noted this project allowed them to build upon previous initiatives that have strengthened the institution and the QI. “This initiative reflects our commitment to continuous improvement and further reinforces the strong ties of collaboration established with organisations such as CROSQ and PTB, whose support has been essential to the development of our capabilities and services.”
The TBT Phase III initiative builds on the achievements of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) TBT Programme, which successfully advanced QI in CARIFORUM. Like its predecessor, TBT Phase III is designed to support intra- and extra-regional trade and boost the competitiveness of CARIFORUM products in global markets.
About the Partners
Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Germany’s National Metrology Institute, is a scientific and technical higher federal authority under the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, with expertise in supporting QI development worldwide.
CROSQ is the regional centre for enabling regional integration, competitiveness and global market access through the development and harmonisation of standards and the strengthening of quality infrastructure in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Headquartered in Bridgetown, Barbados, it is comprised of the 15 National Standards Bureaux of the Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
INDOCAL is the National Standards Body of the Dominican Republic, providing services in standardisation, metrology, certification and training in accordance with international practices.
