On January 30, 2025, the Bahamas Bureau of Standards and Quality (BBSQ) hosted its Annual Board Retreat at The Balmoral Club under the theme “Assess, Align, Accelerate.” Moderated by A. Gabriella Fraser, Founding Principal & Managing Director of The Vivian Group, the retreat brought together board members, executives, and key stakeholders for a day of strategic planning, insightful discussions, and team building.
The retreat began with a continental breakfast, followed by welcome remarks from Chairwoman Pauline V. Curry, who emphasized the importance of collaboration and innovation in advancing the National Quality Policy. An invocation by Ms. Angela Rolle, Board Secretary, grounded the attendees in their shared mission.
Executive Director Dr. Renae Ferguson-Bufford then presented the 2024 Year in Review, celebrating BBSQ’s accomplishments while addressing key challenges. The session led to an engaging group discussion, where board members reflected on the organization’s progress and aligned on priorities moving forward.
A highlight of the retreat was the keynote address by Mrs. Sharonmae Smith-Walker, CEO of the Caribbean Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ), introduced by Councilwoman Simone Bethell. Her speech focused on The Bahamas’ role in regional quality standards and the importance of collaboration in maintaining global competitiveness. This thought-provoking session was followed by a Q&A segment, where attendees explored strategies for strengthening partnerships within the region.
A major focus of the retreat was strategic planning. Board members conducted a review of the board assessment, reinforcing expectations and governance priorities. The afternoon session centered on establishing the board’s calendar and priorities for 2025, ensuring alignment with BBSQ’s mission to drive national and regional quality initiatives.
In closing remarks, Vice Chairman Arnaldo Basden reinforced the importance of accountability and execution, urging board members to turn discussions into measurable outcomes. The retreat not only provided a platform for collaboration but also set a clear roadmap for the year ahead, ensuring that BBSQ continues to elevate quality standards, metrology, and accreditation in The Bahamas and beyond.
The 2025 BBSQ Board Retreat was a resounding success, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to excellence, strategic growth, and regional leadership in quality assurance.
On February 19th, 2025, the Bahamas Bureau of Standards and Quality (BBSQ) convened a successful Virtual Validation Workshop to present and gather stakeholder feedback on the National Metrology Strategy (NMS)—a critical blueprint for advancing the country’s capacity in measurement science.
Hosted via Zoom, this collaborative workshop was part of a broader initiative under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) through the EPA & CSME Standby Facility for Capacity Building. The strategy aims to strengthen The Bahamas’ National Quality Infrastructure (NQI), enhance trade competitiveness, and ensure public trust in measurements that impact daily life.
The session opened with remarks from BBSQ’s Executive Management Team and featured a detailed presentation of the strategy by the Project Team Leader. The strategy outlines both current challenges and opportunities for growth in legal, industrial, and scientific metrology—offering a roadmap to:
This work is essential for ensuring accuracy in medical testing, fairness in trade, consumer protection, and industrial reliability.
The workshop followed a structured agenda that included a project overview, presentation of the strategy, and two rounds of open discussion. Over the course of the morning, stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and civil society engaged in a robust exchange of feedback and questions.
These interactive segments allowed participants to share experiences, identify gaps, and align on the practical implications of the strategy—particularly for exporters, manufacturers, and regulators working to ensure compliance and market readiness.
Participants emphasised the value of:
As noted in the formal invitation by Dr. Renae Ferguson-Bufford, Executive Director of BBSQ, the National Metrology Strategy is designed not only to build internal capacity but also to reflect the needs and priorities of Bahamas-based businesses, especially those expanding into international markets.
The feedback collected during this workshop will inform the finalization and implementation of the strategy in the months ahead—ensuring it remains grounded in national development goals and responsive to stakeholder needs.
With the validation phase complete, BBSQ will begin formal adoption and phased implementation of the National Metrology Strategy, supported by continued stakeholder consultation, international partnerships, and national awareness efforts.
This workshop serves as a model for inclusive, standards-driven planning—and a key step in BBSQ’s mission to advance measurement excellence for the benefit of all Bahamians.
Learn More
For more information on the National Metrology Strategy or to stay updated on implementation efforts, visit: https://bbsq.bs/metrology
The Source River Centre,
1000 Bacardi Road,
P. O. Box N-4843,
Nassau, N.P.,
The Bahamas
info@bbsq.bs
+1 (242) 362-1748 – 55
