THE three words – imports, exports and standards have a direct relationship to each other, and are all important to both the public and private sectors which play dominant roles in the economy of this country and indeed most, if not all other economies in the world.
When several decades ago manufactured items in especially third world countries were done ‘willy nilly’, there are stringent rules in today’s world which must be adhered to, or simply accept the fate of being left behind.
But Guyana, in no way could afford to fall victim to sloppy manufacturing with undue care and attention to standards. This is simply because we are a country on the move. We boast tremendous potentials that are export materials.
But more often than not we employ the propensity of looking at exports only with a manufacturing eye, that is to say, one for profits and only profits. This is the wrong concept, and must be changed if we want to be truly on the export bandwagon.
It becomes imperative for us to use the other eye to see things in other areas that have the potential to compete and command respect on the export market. It will not be over-exaggerating for us to add to our long list of export items, raw materials for the manufacture of different products.
However, the word ‘standard’ comes into play, and we have to let ‘standard’ be our mantra if we want to be successful with our items on the export market. Long gone are the days when standard meant nothing more than the word itself.
In today’s world, the very word comes into play with all seriousness, and if you are desirous of competing on the export market, then your products would have to be of excellent standard. Even our unmanufactured products like vegetables, ground provisions and fruits must be of superb quality.
In light of this important prerequisite, we welcome the launch of the Guyana National Quality Infrastructure by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards on Monday.
Although a little long in coming, it is better late than never. We believe that the Guyana National Quality Infrastructure will make a whole lot of difference in both the manufacturing and export sector. It is in this respect that we ask: What sense does it make to manufacture items just for the sake of manufacturing? We will betray our trust if we continue in this manner.
We know of instances where certain manufactured items which had already reached their destinations on the export market were rejected for falling short of the desired standard.
We cannot afford slips of this nature.
We have to stick to the rules and be in absolute preparedness to produce the standards that are required. Our manufactured items must be quality products to compete on the export market. We cannot afford or encourage less. And as Tourism, Commerce and Industry Minister (acting), Irfaan Ali said: “We have to reserve very strict standards, high lines and processes, for example, as a whole host of international standards that companies must adhered to… If we want to ensure locally that we are equipped in making use of these opportunities, then we must ensure that we develop the culture of standards and strengthen our institutional system…”