The St. Kitts and Nevis Bureau of Standards (SKNBS) has taken a significant step towards strengthening the nation’s quality infrastructure with the launch of the National Standardisation Strategy (NSS) Development Session. Held on 13th March, 2025, at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort, the session gathered key stakeholders to discuss aligning national standards with regional and global benchmarks while prioritising key economic sectors such as food security, construction, and fisheries.
Under the theme “Building Awareness, Confirming Research Findings, and Setting Standards Priorities,” the event underscored the critical role of standardisation in fostering economic efficiency, ensuring product quality, and expanding market access. Mrs. Sharonmae Smith-Walker, CEO of CARICOM’s Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ), emphasised the NSS’s potential to integrate St. Kitts and Nevis more effectively into regional and international trade networks. She noted that harmonising national standards with CARICOM frameworks would boost consumer confidence and facilitate smoother cross-border trade.
Aka Kouassi, Chief Technical Advisor at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), reinforced the importance of the NSS within the broader National Quality Infrastructure (NQI). He stressed that aligning quality standards with national development priorities would not only enhance industrial growth but also create a more competitive and sustainable economy.
Delivering the keynote address, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas, Minister of Trade, Industry, and Consumer Affairs, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to positioning St. Kitts and Nevis as a “sustainable island state.” He described the NSS as a “blueprint for sustainable growth, innovation, and global integration” and expressed appreciation for the support of international partners such as CROSQ, UNIDO, and the European Union under the ACP Quality Infrastructure Programme.
A key highlight of the session was the emphasis on stakeholder-driven standards development. Mr. Hiram Williams, former SKNBS Director and the architect of the original NSS, underscored the necessity of a collaborative and structured approach to standards adoption. He cautioned against fragmented implementation and instead advocated for policies that are research-driven and aligned with national priorities.
The NSS Development Session marks a pivotal moment in St. Kitts and Nevis’ efforts to strengthen its quality infrastructure and competitiveness. By fostering greater standardisation, the initiative is expected to drive economic resilience, attract investment, and position the Federation as a trusted player in global trade.
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