AS the government advances its expansive 2026 development agenda, Executive Director of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), Trevor Bassoo, has underscored the bureau’s role in ensuring that economic growth is safe, fair, competitive and sustainable.
Bassoo said the 2026 Budget clearly demonstrates that the government is continuing to build on solid foundations through major investments in housing, infrastructure, healthcare, education and private-sector development.
Within this framework, he noted, agencies such as the GNBS play a critical, though often understated, role in supporting national growth by setting and enforcing standards that protect consumers, improve quality and enhance competitiveness.
Looking specifically at how the GNBS will support sector and business development, Bassoo said the government continues to advance a pro-business agenda through tax incentives and targeted support measures.
He pointed to the expansion of the Guyana Development Bank, which is expected to offer collateral-free and interest-free loans of up to $3 million, particularly benefitting small businesses, young entrepreneurs and women.
“Small businesses, young entrepreneurs, and women will all benefit from this initiative. So, the question is, how can an agency such as the GNBS provide support? Within the business- development framework, the GNBS helps micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises to become more competitive,” Bassoo said.
He explained that one of the bureau’s primary areas of intervention is helping businesses adopt recognised standards within their operations.
“There’s a number of areas, but let’s begin with the adoption of standards in their operations, ensuring efficiency, quality, and consistency, which all translate to competitiveness,” he said. “The bureau also provides training and technical assistance to individuals and to businesses who are seeking to improve the quality of products and services.”
Bassoo revealed that in 2026, the GNBS will offer more than 50 training courses, with a strong focus on quality management systems. He said the bureau’s certification programmes are designed to build customer confidence and expand market access, both locally and internationally.
“There are a number of certification programmes offered by the GNBS, which include the popular Made in Guyana certification, used largely by agro-processors. There’s a GYS 901 certification just recently added—it’s a quality management system certification—and there’s the LAP certification, among a number of others,” he said.

Bassoo reaffirmed that the government can rely on the GNBS to continue providing critical business support through standards implementation, training and certification, enabling Guyanese businesses to grow, compete and succeed in an increasingly dynamic economy.