Sterling Products Limited, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (Pathology Laboratory) and the Guyana Sugar Corporation are among 35 companies, businesses and organizations that were presented with National Quality Awards at the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) 5th National Quality Awards Ceremony.
The event took place on Wednesday night at the Guyana Marriott.
The awards were presented across a number of categories, including Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, to recognize businesses and entrepreneurs’ commitments to Standards and Quality in Guyana.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips said companies, business and even organizations have been consistently investing in training and development to improve the quality of services they offer, and the awards ceremony is testament to their achievements. He said this augurs well for Guyana’s business environment.
“Global data supports the link between quality management and economic performance. A 2023 Forbes Analysis noted that companies with strong quality systems experience higher customer retention and lower operational costs. Mckenzie reported that forms with robust process management systems can increase productivity by as much as 25%,” Prime Minister Phillips said.
He said the stats underline the importance of integrating quality management with development strategies, and Guyana, he added, has adopted a similar approach with investments in critical areas of development to improve both quantity and quality.
Sterling Products Limited received the Large Manufacturing Award, while the GPHC Pathology Laboratory received the Small Services Quality Award.
Guyana Sugar Corporation received the Customer Focus Large Manufacturing Award. Other Awardees included Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society, St Joseph’s Mercy Hospital, and Massy Gas (Guyana).
GNBS Executive Director, Trevor Bassoo said with assistance from the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) and support from the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, the first NQA was hosted in 2017 to recognise businesses for their commitment to delivering quality products and services.
He said since then, the award has grown tremendously from 16 participating companies in 2017 to 112 in 2025.
“Of the total applicants, 100 businesses—representing a diverse cross-section of the economy, including manufacturing, services, agro-processing, and the small business sector—met the eligibility requirements. This means that 100 of our nation’s enterprises have successfully advanced their internal systems to produce quality goods and services,” he said.
Bassoo said for the first time, several Government agencies are receiving awards – an indication of Government’s dedication to strengthening the services provided by public institutions to all Guyanese.
He said quality in the public sector goes beyond profit, explaining that it inspires public trust and confidence, promotes the efficient use of public resources and contributes to a happier population.
“The GNBS is pleased to see the continued surge in businesses and organisations that are quality conscious and committed to providing better products and services to consumers. This progress is reflected in the GNBS’s certification programmes, which have recorded remarkable growth in the past year. From January to date, the Certification Services Department has certified 13 businesses under the Made in Guyana programme, six new laboratories, one new bed-and-breakfast facility, and one new gold jeweller. These successes are possible because of the unwavering support and vision of His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali,” Bassoo said.
Additionally, from January to October, the Industrial Metrology and Testing Department calibrated 2,537 devices—including calipers and micrometers for the manufacturing and rice industries; thermometers for the manufacturing, health, and public sector agencies; and pressure gauges.
Bassoo said as GNBS continues to build a national culture of standards, it has achieved another significant milestone — the issuance of GNBS 901 Certification to the first cohort of businesses.
The programme is based on the National Standard “GYS 901 – Quality Management System for Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises.” It outlines a quality management system tailored to MSMEs, incorporates essential occupational safety and health requirements, and serves as a stepping stone to ISO 9001:2015 certification.
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