Quality Assurance crucial to economic growth – Permanent Secretary

Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Andrene Collings, says having effective quality assurance systems in industries and enterprises is crucial to Jamaica’s economic growth.

“Quality assurance is a key factor in our enterprises and industries being competitive, securing markets and building consumer confidence in our products,” said Mrs. Collings.
Representing the Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Audley Shaw, the Acting Permanent Secretary was addressing the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) National Quality Awards Ceremony and Banquet held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Tuesday, October 16.

According to Mrs. Collings, maintaining high quality in our products is of particular importance, as the landscape of our industries and enterprises are constantly changing, adapting to new trends, technology and ways of doing business. She stressed that standards and quality assessment and regulation must evolve to ensure the country’s competitiveness.

“We are committed to the development of our national quality capabilities and competencies and, the provision of a competitive trade environment, based on internationally accepted standards and principles. That is why we have put in place a policy to provide direction and guidelines to the various activities related to the quality infrastructure,” she added.
Mrs. Collings hailed the recipients of the National Quality Awards (NQA), and encouraged them to continue maintaining high standards in their businesses.

Dairy Industries (Jamaica) Limited was awarded the NQA for Excellence in Manufacturing, Nestle Jamaica Limited (Distribution Centre) for Excellence in Service, Quality Systems Solution and Initiatives (QSSI) for Excellence in Small Business, and Advanced Farm Technologies, Jamaica Limited for Excellence in Agriculture.

Other sectional awardees included Grace Food Processors (Canning Division), National Health Fund, Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort and Private Island, and Jamaica Tropical Foods Limited.

The National Quality Awards, held in association with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, salutes business excellence while promoting international competitiveness of Jamaican products and services in public and private organisations.

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