Residents of Bartica and other Region 7 communities will now have easier access to the services of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) with the opening of its sub-office in Bartica.
Some of the services which will be offered to the region include inspection services and testing of concrete hollow blocks along with the verification of scales and masses.
Delivering brief remarks, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Oneidge Walrond said the establishment of the new office will make businesses in the region more efficient.
“No longer is there a need to journey to Georgetown or for the GNBS to journey to Bartica to inspect products, complete registrations, verify Fuel Pumps, etc. Now, put that into a contextual perspective and examine the cost and time-saving elements. A trip to Georgetown amounts to no less than $7,000. That does not include food, accommodation, and other costs. In some cases, you may have to make several trips. This might have meant closing business or redirecting your productive time during your sojourn to the capital. I am happy to usher in this new era, where you can stay right in Bartica, save your money, save your time and still access these critical services,” she outlined.
The GNBS is the leading agency responsible for standards, quality, and measurements.
The Minister pointed out that the opening of the GNBS’ sub-office in Bartica is a practical demonstration that the administration is serious about business development in Guyana.
She said this location is intended to convey that residents in rural Guyana or the outlying areas should in no way feel disadvantaged or disconnected from opportunities available to the rest of the country.
Acting Executive Director of the Bureau, Ms. Ramrattie Karan noted that the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting restrictions on traveling have reinforced the importance of decentralizing the services of the Bureau.
She disclosed that in keeping with its strategic plan and vision, “the GNBS with support from the Government of Guyana will be expanding our operations across every region of our country as the Bureau seeks to continuously develop the National Quality Infrastructure to foster sustainable socio-economic development and consumer protection.”
She added that going forward, it is expected that more local manufacturers and dealers will be registered with the GNBS, more measuring devices verified including those in the outlying communities, more products and services inspected and certified, and transactions that are more efficient conducted between the GNBS and the stakeholders in Region 7.
Meanwhile, Regional Chairman Mr. Kenneth Williams in his remarks welcomed the GNBS to Bartica.
“Bartica is on the rise, Region Seven is on the rise and it is because of that, offices like this are important to all stakeholders,” he stressed.
With this new office, the GNBS now has a total of six sub-offices across the country; the others are in Anna- Regina (Region Two), Vreed-En-Hoop (Region Three), New Amsterdam and Skeldon (Region Six) and Lethem (Region Nine).
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