The Tribune

Minister of Financial Services Ryan Pinder said recently that full membership and compliance in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is necessary if Bahamian producers would like to compete on an even field with other international producers.

“Bahamian exporters would find themselves having favourable access to more than 100 countries, giving them an expansive foreign marketplace,” Minister Pinder told participants in the recent Bahamas Bureau of Standards’ First National Standardisation Forum and Formation of Technical Committees Workshop, held at SuperClubs Breezes.

Minister Pinder said that while the benefits of WTO seem numerous, the realisation of such benefits would only be achieved by adhering to the principles of the WTO TBT (Technical Barriers to Trade) agreement for the development, adoption and implementation of standards.

“On a governmental level, standards provide the technological and scientific bases underpinning health, safety and environmental legislation especially when we consider how international standards will impact air, water, and soil quality, and on emissions of gases and radiation,” he said.

“On a very basic level, we must adopt local standards that are enforceable by law. Bahamians should be afforded the same level of health and environmental safety afforded those in the region and internationally,” he added.

Minister Pinder pointed out that, while not targeting any particular group or agency, it is realised that the lack of local standards have left the Bahamas significantly exposed.

“For example; let us look closely at the used car industry in The Bahamas,” he explained.

“Many vehicles totalled or written off in the United States – no longer deemed acceptable to be driven in US – are brought into this country, cosmetically repaired, and thrust on local consumers. If these vehicles are not safe to be driven in the US, why do we feel so comfortable allowing them on our streets?

“The potential dangers that exist are astronomical. There are safety risks to the buyer and motorists and financial risks to the buyer who spends hundreds if not thousands on a vehicle that may not last longer than six months to a year; sometimes far less.”

“How would a standards bureau impact this? Well we can regulate the types and classes of vehicles that are exported to the Bahamas,” Minister Pinder added.

Therefore, Minister Pinder said, the goal of that forum has “significant importance” in all areas and stakeholders must be aggressive in their approach to implementing regulations across the board.

“As I stated earlier, this is the first of many steps as we attempt to ensure that we have adequate national standards,” he said.

He noted, however, that it is a process that cannot be completed in isolation.

“We must work with industry professionals and partners as we look at those areas of our society that are vulnerable and in desperate need of further regulations,” Minister Pinder said. “Additionally, we must ensure that the Bahamas remains compliant with internationally adopted protocols.

“We must commit to taking full advantage of the services provided by groups that we are members of, such as CROSQ (CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality) and the ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation), and the potential benefits that exist for local businesses and residents.”

Minister Pinder reiterated the importance of the Bahamas’ partnerships within the region, especially its membership in CROSQ, the body responsible for the development of harmonised regional standards.

“The Bahamas is a member of CROSQ and since this government has engaged in the development of the Bahamas Bureau of Standards, government representatives participate in policy meetings and CROSQ-sponsored workshops,” he said.

Since its inception in 2002, CROSQ has been active in the development of harmonised regional standards, Minister Pinder said. So far, he added, more than 80 voluntary and mandatory standards have been either published or are presently being developed.

“While open for adoption by all members of CARICOM, the Bahamas has yet to adopt any CROSQ standards,” Minister Pinder pointed out. “It is believed that this symposium and industry consultation is the first and critical step in ensuring that we change and become more involved in this process which not only benefits our regional partnerships but also global trade agreements and our accession to the WTO which the development of these CROSQ standards are based upon.”

Minister Pinder told participants that he hoped each of them had gained much and will work with his Ministry as “we seek to have a fully functioning standards bureau in the Bahamas”.

“Without it, we leave ourselves at a significant disadvantage compared to others in the region and internationally,” Minister Pinder said. “I have high hopes for this bureau and I see it as a necessary step in helping the Bahamas to further adopt first world status.

“I trust the efforts we are undertaking will serve to provide a fair marketplace for our producers, and necessary protections for our consumers.”