2024-03-06 – Today, Tobagonians witnessed a historic moment as the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) unveiled its new Tobago Sub-Office, located at the D Colosseum Building II, corner of Airport Bypass and Milford Road, Crown Point, Tobago. This strategic initiative, launched on Wednesday, 6th March, 2024, marks a significant milestone in fostering a culture of standards and quality assurance in Tobago, while simultaneously propelling economic development on the island.
A Historic Milestone for Tobago
The establishment of the Tobago Sub-Office is a testament to TTBS’s unwavering commitment to advancing the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) in our twin island nation. The Sub-Office, functions as a central hub for activities such as inspections, re-inspections, surveillances and stakeholder engagements. By bringing the Bureau’s services closer to Tobagonians, this move aims to enhance access to quality assurance tools and services, empowering local businesses and industries to meet international standards and compete effectively in the global market.
In her remarks at the inauguration ceremony, Minister of Trade and Industry, Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon, emphasized the pivotal role of the new Sub-Office in supporting Tobago’s economic landscape. She stated, “The collaboration between the Government, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), and TTBS underscores a unified effort towards achieving national goals and in exemplary fashion it is a true reflection of the Government’s commitment to decentralization, ensuring that the benefits of standardization and quality assurance not only meets but satisfies the needs of our citizenry.”
Expanding Quality Assurance Services
The Legal Metrology Inspectorate (LMI) of the TTBS is responsible for ensuring that measurements used in trade adhere to established standards. Currently, the LMI has achieved 100% compliance for fuel dispensers, airport scales, and TTPOST scales in Tobago. However, there is a need for verifications in other areas of the business sector, such as markets, supermarkets, minimarts, and hardwares. With staff permanently based in Tobago, the TTBS will ensure that these areas of the business sector are serviced.
Additionally, the TTBS Tobago Sub-Office will also offer access to the Certification Division, which verifies local goods and services meet standards through conformity assessment. This includes the Trinidad and Tobago Tourism Industry Certification (TTTIC), a tourism quality assurance program. Presently, about 25% of Tobago’s accommodation providers are TTTIC certified. The Sub-Office aims to increase this number, ensuring Tobagonian stakeholders benefit from TTTIC services.
Conclusion
TTBS remains committed to its mission of promoting a culture of excellence and quality in Trinidad and Tobago. The establishment of the Tobago Sub-Office is a testament to this commitment, and TTBS looks forward to working closely with Tobagonians to drive sustainable economic growth through quality assurance.
For more information about the Tobago Sub-Office and TTBS’s services, please visit www.gottbs.com or contact Ms. Natalie Dennie, Marketing Officer at 662-8827 ext. 2260 or email natlie.dennie@ttbs.org.tt
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