Driving Quality Forward: NSS Stakeholder Engagement Hits Grand Bahama

On April 1, 2025, the Bahamas Bureau of Standards and Quality (BBSQ)continued development of the National Standardization Strategy (NSS) with a stakeholder engagement session hosted at the Pelican Bay Hotel in Grand Bahama. The event brought together a dynamic mix of stakeholders from business, government, and civil society to shape a unified national approach to standardization—one that will drive economic growth, resilience, and long-term sustainability for The Bahamas.

The NSS is more than a policy framework—it is a transformative roadmap for strengthening the country’s Quality Infrastructure (QI) and aligning with international standards. Developed with support from the Caribbean Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States, the NSS aims to ensure that Bahamian goods, services, and systems meet global benchmarks for quality and safety.

From the outset, speakers and facilitators emphasized that standards are not simply technical requirements—they are tools for nation building.

Stakeholders at the Grand Bahama session explored how the NSS will:

• Advance sustainability through improved environmental regulations and smart industry practices
• Strengthen tourism standards to maintain the premium experience visitors expect from The Bahamas
• Support food security by ensuring safe food handling, local agriculture promotion, and resilient supply chains
• Improve climate resilience with updated building codes and national preparedness measures
• Accelerate digital transformation by setting strong national standards for cybersecurity, e-commerce, and digital services

Participants also examined the critical role the NSS can play in enabling small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to meet international quality standards, expand into new markets, and build investor confidence.

As the national consultation process continues, BBSQ reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the NSS is not created in isolation, but co-designed with input from the people and industries it will serve. Every voice—whether from a government agency, private sector business, or grassroots organization—adds value to a stronger national quality framework.

BBSQ extends heartfelt thanks to the participants in Grand Bahama for their energy and insight, and to our partners—CROSQ, UNIDO, and the ACP Group—for their continued support. Together, we are laying the foundation for a future where quality is not just a goal, but a national standard.