Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698837680413.pdf (Saint Kitts and Nevis)
MITICCA The official quarterly newsletter of the MINISTRY OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE, INDUSTRY, COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS VOLUME 7 JULY - SEPTEMBER 2022 TRADE AT A GLANCE www.miticca.gov.kn An Official Publication of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis MITICCA The Official Quarterly Newsletter of the MINISTRY OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE, INDUSTRY, COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS VOLUME 7 JULY - SEPTEMBER 2022 Inside this Issue TRADE: Quotes Staff Development Session at MITICCA Meeting to Discuss the Implementation of the Expanded Catagories of Skilled CARICOM Nationals (Domestic Workers, Agricultural Workers and Private Security Officers) The Right Honourable Dr. Denzil L. Douglas Supports IP Initiatives Minister Dr. Douglas' first engagement with MITICCA staff AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum 2022 EPA UNIT SBDC: GGGI Eastern Caribbean Greenpreneurs 2022 Incubator Program Increasing the Use of Digital Technology in the Caribbean Blue Economy & Essential Services Sectors CONSUMER AFFAIRS: SKN Shopper App 2022 Back to School Uniforms & Textbooks Booklet SKNBS: Saint Kitts and Nevis Agro-Processors to benefit from New and Improved Quality Standards Manufacturers in Saint Kitts and Nevis to benefit from SKNBS Lab Upgrades Ciguatera Toxin in Fish Training IAEA RAIS+ Workshop “It’s important to focus on how we can strengthen international trade.” ~ Maggie Hassan ~ “Free trade, one of the greatest blessings which a government can confer on a people, is in almost every country unpopular.” ~ Lord Thomas Macauley ~ “I
 don’t create companies for the sake of creating companies, but to get things done.” ~ Elon Musk, CEO & CTO of SpaceX, Investor in PayPal ~ “Innovation and commerce are as powerful tools for creating social progress as they are for driving technological advancement.
~ Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Founder & Chairperson of Biocon ~ “Trade isn’t about goods.

Trade is about information.

Goods sit in the warehouse until information moves them.

~ C.J.

Cherryh, Author and Novelist ~ increases competition and “Trade lowers world prices, which provides benefits to consumers by raising the purchasing power of their own income, and leads to a rise in consumer surplus.
~ economicsonline.co.uk ~ “Any time you sincerely want to make a change, the first thing you must do is to raise your standards.” ~ Anthony Robbins, Life and Business strategist ~ “Without a standard there is no logical basis for making a decision or taking action."
~ Joseph M. Juran, Former Engineer and Management Consultant and Author on Quality and Quality Management ~ www.miticca.gov.kn An Official Publication of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis Staff Development Session at the Ministry of International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs On Thursday, 22nd September 2022, the Ministry of International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs held an all-day Staff Development Session for the Administrative Team lead by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Jasemin Weekes, for selected departments of the Ministry.
Jasemin Weekes Special guests from the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis Human Resource Management Department and the St. Kitts and Nevis Bureau of Standards respectively, Mrs. Orlene Knight-Warner, Ms. Judy Edwards and Ms. Tricia Rawlins spoke about the competencies required to be a diligent and efficient employee within the civil service.
Some of the topics covered were as follows; ways to be an effective communicator in oral and written communication, office etiquette rules, customer service, characteristics that undermine professional, public service staff, the meaning of the acronyms C.H.A.M.P.I.O.N, and S.T.A.R.

It was also explained that in setting goals being S.M.A.R.T can ensure that goals are ‘Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-based'.
The advice to seek opportunities to further one’s education to become a professional was also imparted, as wisdom, to those present.

The special guests were invited to critique each administrative staff’s presentation regarding their areas of responsibilities within the Ministry, and they impartially highlighted all visual and audible idiosyncrasies in an effort to correct poor practices.
Presentations made by the Administrative Team included, but were not limited to, the advantages and disadvantages of the CARICOM Free Movement, the procurement system in the Government is too burdensome and how can it be improved, trade facilitation, linkages of the four departments of the Ministry, the importance of the support staff, leading without the title, and value as an administrative professional.
The training was beneficial as it allowed the administrative staff to better understand the overall importance of doing one’s job well, and with a mindset of contributing to the team to project continued professionalism geared towards the advancement of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Special Guest Speakers L-R: Orleen Knight- Warner, Judy Edwards and Tricia Rawlins Prepared by: Communications Unit - MITICCA TRADE AT A GLANCE PAGE 3 MEETING TO DISCUSS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EXPANDED CATEGORIES OF SKILLED CARICOM NATIONALS (DOMESTIC WORKERS, AGRICULTURAL WORKERS AND PRIVATE SECURITY OFFICERS) 20 September 2022: At the Eighteenth Special Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in December 2018, a decision was made to expand the categories of Community nationals eligible for free movement under Article 46 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC) to include Agricultural Workers and Security Guards.
A five-year derogation was granted to St. Kitts and Nevis on the implementation of these two categories in February 2019.

Several rounds of national consultations were held to discuss the proposed definitions and qualification requirements for the stipulated categories subsequent to the Forty-Third Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government.
The Conference that took place from the 3 – 5 July 2022 was to approve the definitions and qualification requirements for the expanded categories of CARICOM Skilled Nationals, specifically; Domestic Workers, Agricultural Workers and Private Security Officers.

As a result of the confirmed decisions, and in an effort to submit an update, and a comprehensive plan of action to the CARICOM Secretariat, the Ministry of International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs convened a Stakeholders Meeting.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the preparation of a programme and timetable advancing a reasonable timeframe for the implementation of the administrative and legislative amendments geared towards the facilitation of movement of these categories.

The meeting was deemed a success.
Photo (Seated L-R): Angela Scarborough - Premier's Ministry Nevis; Trisha Francis - Accreditation Secretariat, MoEducation; Astric Wyatt-Archibald - Department of Labour Photo (Seated L-R): Junie Hodge - National Security Association; Jasemin Weekes; Kyle Flanders - Ministry of Agriculture, St. Kitts; Huey Sargeant - Ministry of Agriculture, Nevis; Kertney Thompson - TVET Secretariat, MoEducation; Lyndis Williams-Harris; Samuel Berridge, Regional Integration and Diaspora Unit TRADE AT A GLANCE PAGE 4 THE RIGHT HONOURABLE DR. DENZIL L. DOUGLAS SUPPORTS IP INITIATIVES International Trade, On September 7, 2022, The Right Honourable Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Economic Development and Investment met with the Attorney General, Honourable Garth L. Wilkin, both in support of Intellectual Property (IP) initiatives.
The meeting reflected on the relationship between International Trade and Intellectual Property Rights and how innovation, entertainment and entrepreneurship could bring about economic diversification, positive productive growth and development within the economy of St. Kitts and Nevis.
In attendance were Mrs. Cheryleanne Maynard-Pemberton, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Entrepreneurship et al., Mrs. Jasemin Weekes, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Senior Officials of the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs (IPO), and the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and the Ministry of International Trade.
The meeting was facilitated by Ms. Jihan Williams, Registrar of the Intellectual Property Office of St. Kitts and Nevis (IPOSKN).

The venue of the meeting was the Ministry of International Trade.
Photo: The Right Honourable Dr. Denzil L. Douglas (right), Attorney General, Honourable Garth L. Wilkin (left); Mrs. Cheryleanne Maynard-Pemberton; Mrs. Jasemin Weekes; Mr. Sean Lawrence; Mr. Philip Browne TRADE AT A GLANCE PAGE 5 MINISTER DR. DOUGLAS ENGAGES IN FIRST INTERACTIVE SESSION WITH STAFF AT THE MINISTRY OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE Basseterre, St. Kitts, August 19, 2022 (SKNIS): The Right Honourable Dr. Denzil Douglas, Minister of International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs, engaged staff in their first interactive session on Thursday, August 18, 2022.
While delivering brief remarks, Minister Dr. Douglas expressed thanks and appreciation to staff members “for providing the necessary services of the government of St. Kitts and Nevis from this particular platform.” Dr. Douglas noted that the ministries under his purview are critical to the further advancement of St. Kitts and Nevis and it will take the efforts and commitment of all to further push the agenda of the ministry and of the Federation.
“The Ministry of International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs is a ministry that we believe is a major industry in the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis.

It is one of those ministries, together, when twinned with Foreign Affairs and Economic Development and Investment emphasizes the thrust that this administration would like to pursue in realizing the goals and aspirations of our people as would have been mandated through the results of the last election,” he said.
Minister Dr. Douglas indicated that to push the agenda of the country and boost economic activity staff must be prepared for the challenges ahead.

“Are you seriously being challenged to achieve some of these specific goals and if you are not being challenged now how do you think we can sit together like this and ensure that each of us is challenged to achieve the specific objectives and goals of this government at this time through the interworking of this particular ministry?” the minister asked.
“I want to insist that as we prepare from here to take on this new challenge that has been given to us with me as the minister, that we understand clearly our roles, what exactly we need to do, as well as the specific roles, that maybe marketing and promotion will also play and whether this has been given sufficient support to make the overall success of the outputs from this particular minister,” Dr. Douglas added.

The Rt.

Hon.
The Rt.

Hon.

Dr. Denzil Douglas opened the floor for questions and comments from staff and further engaged them through dialogue.

PAGE 6 TRADE AT A GLANCE PRIME MINISTER DR. DREW AND DELEGATION ATTEND THE INAUGURAL AFRICARIBBEAN TRADE AND INVESTMENT FORUM 2022 Prime Minister Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew and his delegation attended the inaugural AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum 2022 which will be held from 1 - 3 September, 2022 in Bridgetown, Barbados.

The theme is – ‘One People.

One Destiny.


Uniting and Reimagining Our Future'.

Key guest speakers during the opening ceremony include Professor Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Africa Export-Import Bank; Her Excellency Dr. Carla Barnett, Secretary-General of the CARICOM; His Excellency Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President of the Republic of Suriname and current Chair of CARICOM; His Excellency Amadou Hott, along with other high- level officials.
A brief signing ceremony for partnership agreements between the Africa Export-Import Bank was also incorporated into the opening ceremony.

This event is intended to help strengthen relations between the private sectors of the two regions to advance trade and investment through various avenues.
The Forum will focus on business-to-business engagements and panel discussions on several topics, including accelerating industrialization and manufacturing, developing special economic zones (SEZs), looking at the linkages in Trade and Investment and the building of cultural ties between the Caribbean Region and Africa in which Prime Minister Drew actively participated.
The Forum is expected to welcome 750 delegates from Africa and the Caribbean, including government and private sector officials from both regions, as well as investors, development partners, and trade support institutions.

R-L: CABINET SECRETARY DR. MARCUS NATTA; FINANCIAL SECRETARY MRS HILARY HAZEL; ACTING PERMANENT SECRETARY MS. NAEEMAH HAZELLE; PRESIDENT OF THE ST. KITTS AND NEVIS CHAMBER OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE, MR. MICHAEL DAVIS THE RT.

HON.
HON.

DR. DENZIL DOUGLAS, MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE ET AL.

(SECOND FROM RIGHT) AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE AFRICARIBBEAN TRADE AND INVESTMENT FORUM IN BARBADOS TRADE AT A GLANCE PAGE 7 LIST OF CABINET MEMBERS AND THEIR PORTFOLIOS IN THE GOVERNMENT OF ST. KITTS AND NEVIS by SKNIS Editor Honourable Dr. Terrance Micheal Drew Member of Parliament for St. Christopher 8 Prime Minister; Office of the Prime Minister; Finance; National Security, Citizenship and Immigration; Health; Social Security Hon.
Dr. Geoffrey Ian Hanley Member of Parliament for St. Christopher 1 Deputy Prime Minister; Minister of Education; Youth Empowerment; Social Development, Gender Affairs, Aging and Disabilities; Ecclesiastical & Faith-based Affairs; Housing & Human Settlement The Right Honourable Dr. Denzil Llewellyn Douglas Member of Parliament for St. Christopher 6 Minister of Foreign Affairs; International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Economic Development and Investment Honourable Konris Gregor Menten Maynard Member of Parliament for St. Christopher 3 Minister of Public Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities; Domestic Transport; Information, Communication and Technology; Posts Honourable Marsha Tamika Henderson Member of Parliament for St. Christopher 2 Minister of Tourism; Civil Aviation; International Transport; Employment and Labour; Urban Development Honourable Samal Mojah Duggins Member of Parliament for St. Christopher 4 Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Marine Resources and Cooperatives; Small Business and Entrepreneurship; Sports & The Creative Economy Senator Hon.
Dr. Joyelle Trizia Clarke Minister of Sustainable Development; Environment and Climate Action; Constituency Empowerment Senator the Honourable Garth Lucien Wilkin Attorney-General; Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs ***END*** TRADE AT A GLANCE PAGE 8 EPA UNIT ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT TRADE AT A GLANCE PAGE 9 Prepared by: EPA Secretariat GGGI EASTERN CARIBBEAN GREENPRENEURS 2022 INCUBATOR PROGRAM The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) in partnership with the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is pleased to announce the official launch of the "CALL FOR APPLICATIONS for the 2nd cohort of the Eastern Caribbean Greenpreneurs 2022 Incubator Program" funded by the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD).
Teams and individuals, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities, who have a green-business idea or an early-stage green business venture with a focus on addressing environmental and social issues are invited to apply now!!

Take that bold step, which could earn you USD $10,000 in a seed funding grant through the Business Plan Competition to build your early-stage green business or further develop your green business idea, through training, mentoring, coaching & networking.
APPLY NOW to participate in the Eastern Caribbean Greenpreneurs 2022 Incubator Program by clicking on the link provided: https://caribbeangreenpreneurs.com/ Do not miss this golden opportunity for discovering GREEN-GOLD in the Green- business environment!

TRADE AT A GLANCE Submitted by: Mr. Irvine Daniel Business Development Coordinator PAGE 10 INCREASING THE USE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY IN THE CARIBBEAN BLUE ECONOMY & ESSENTIAL SERVICES SECTORS As the Covid-19 pandemic affects the Caribbean region.
The Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility remains Committed to Private Sector Reactivation The Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility (CCPF) is a private sector development programme delivering innovative and practical solutions that stimulate economic growth, increase productivity and foster innovation and competitiveness, while promoting economic inclusion.

Complete your Business Potential Assessment to Apply Today!
Learn more at https://www.competecaribbean.or g/blue-economy-tes/ Stay tuned to our Social Media pages for more information on upcoming events!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SBDCSKB Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbdc_st.ki tts/ Submitted by: Ms. Chedingh Brookes Junior Industry Officer TRADE AT A GLANCE PAGE 11 Consumer Affairs Department SKN Shopper App The Consumer Affairs Department regularly compiles supermarket prices in St Kitts- Nevis to make saving easier for you.
The SKN Shopper App lets you get a broader perspective, by comparing costs across the federation and highlighting the best ones.

With this application, you can search for items on your list by brand and name as well as filter your search by area!

TRADE AT A GLANCE Contact Office: Consumer Affairs Department P. O.

Box 186, 1st Floor NAGICO Building, Bladens Commercial Development, Basseterre, St. Kitts.
Tel: 1-869-467-1550/2616 www.facebook.com/consumeraffairsskn PAGE 12 2022 BACK TO SCHOOL UNIFORMS & TEXTBOOKS BOOKLET St Kitts Consumer Affairs Department encourages all parents/guardians to shop carefully and wisely during their back to school shopping.

Purchasing items for school can be very expensive especially uniforms and textbooks.

Our department has once again taken the initiative by collecting prices for textbooks and school uniforms to assist you.
Please make wise choices when purchasing textbooks and school uniforms.
“Consumers, please take note that the prices are subjected to change without the knowledge of our Department and, also be reminded that the information is only a guideline for the price-range of the textbooks and school uniforms.” TRADE AT A GLANCE PAGE 13 Saint Kitts and Nevis Agro-Processors to benefit from New and Improved Quality Standards September 30, 2022, Bridgetown, Barbados – The agri-food industry in Saint Kitts and Nevis will benefit from an enhanced national quality infrastructure, thanks to a new project financed by the European Union and the Caribbean Development Bank.
The initiative provides the Saint Kitts and Nevis Bureau of Standards (SKNBS) with new metrology equipment and training, that will accelerate services to agro-processors, enabling them to fulfil quality requirements for international export and enhance food production.

Training Infrastructure: Details of the “Strengthening the National and Quality Equipment for Conformity Assessment” Project were announced during a launch ceremony on Monday, September 26, 2022.
Valued at EURO 100,960, is supported through the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) Standby Facility for Capacity Building.

it By developing the capacity of the agro- processing industry, the project is expected to make agricultural products more competitive and improve market access.

The initiative will also promote economic increase employment diversification and are outcomes opportunities.
particularly important to build resilience against socio-economic fallouts given the region’s reliance on the tourism sector, which has proven to be highly vulnerable to These Caption for the above photo: Mr. Cyril Gill, Project Manager, CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) Standby Facility for Capacity Building; the Honourable Samal Duggins, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Marine Resources, Entrepreneurship, Cooperatives and Creative Economy for Saint Kitts and Nevis; and Mr. Dale Phoenix, Results Officer, CARIFORUM-EU EPA and CSME Standby Facility for Capacity Building attend the launch of the “Strengthening the National Quality Infrastructure: Training and Equipment for Conformity Assessment” Project.
shocks such as COVID-19 and extreme climate-related events.

Through the Project, the SKNBS will also accelerate improved quality standards for local food production and the availability of more nutritious food that will reduce food insecurity.
More domestic food production can also counteract rising global food costs caused by the pandemic and the war in the to CARICOM’s Ukraine and contribute commitment to reduce Member States’ food import bill by 25% by 2025. and Mr. Daniel Best, Director of CDB’s Projects Department, delivered remarks during the launch “Today we explained, commemorate a landmark achievement for the agro-processing sector of Saint Kitts and enhance that competitiveness, productivity and market Nevis will TRADE AT A GLANCE PAGE 14 Saint Kitts and Nevis Agro-Processors to benefit from New and Improved Quality Standards continued share.
CDB is proud to support this Project as it directly aligns with the pillars of the Bank’s Agriculture Sector Policy and Strategy Paper 2020-2025 which seeks to promote an enabling environment and infrastructure for efficient agricultural value chains.” of the appreciation Featured speaker, the Honourable Samal Duggins, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Marine Resources, Entrepreneurship, Cooperatives and Creative Economy, the expressed Government of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis for the provision of equipment and other support through the Project, and added, “It brings this country closer to the point of being able to establish our export markets where we can really penetrate at a higher level than we have before.
It also advances the commitment of the Ministry of Agriculture food and nutritional security.” improve our to Mrs. Yvanette Baron-George, Deputy CARIFORUM, Programme Manager, added, “An effective quality infrastructure forms part of the fundamentals through which productivity can be enhanced and economic growth achieved.
This Project will develop capabilities so that the Saint Kitts and Nevis Bureau of Standards can provide accurate and to support industrial development.” traceable calibrations that trade, deepen The CARIFORUM-EU EPA and CSME for Capacity Building, Standby Facility which is financing the Project, is a EUR 8.75 million offers resource opportunities to 15 Caribbean economies to integration and grow economic impact competitiveness, market access and exports by implementing targeted projects in thematic areas.
The Project is one of 25 Standby Facility initiatives currently being implemented across the region.
involvement, ### Media Contact: Ms. Shireen Cuthbert, Communications Officer Phone – 246-826-8616 Email – Shireen.Cuthbert@caribank.org “Increasing capacity of Mr. Sheldon Jackman, Project Manager for the Delegation of the European Union to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States, the OECS and CARICOM/CARIFORUM local stated, producers to generate high value high quality products will allow for an increase in exports to key markets within the region and globally.
In addition to improving trade facilitation, this Project will strengthen consumer protection; advance private sector development and competitiveness; and the provision of quality, reliable, safe, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure.” increase TRADE AT A GLANCE PAGE 15 PRESS RELEASE Manufacturers in Saint Kitts and Nevis to benefit from SKNBS Lab Upgrades BASSETERRE, Saint.

Kitts.

October 4, 2022.


The Saint Kitts and Nevis Bureau of Standards (SKNBS) is now home to a new Metrology Laboratory that will serve the business community by offering enhanced measurement and calibration services.

The laboratory upgrades were commissioned during a ceremony on September 26th hosted at the Bureau.
Speaking at the event, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Mrs. Jasemine Weekes said, “it is extremely encouraging to see that the Federation is very close to featuring one of the region’s best and well-equipped labs with the highest level of experience and expertise.” Mrs. Weekes added that the government was excited to open market access for the business community, such as agro-processors, and has recognised that standards compliance is very important for local producers seeking to penetrate global markets.
“This initiative is indeed a timely occasion, as the Government seeks to develop and expand opportunities within the agriculture sector which is at the forefront of the country’s diversification efforts.

There is the commitment by the Government to re-energise this sector and stand with the region in advancing the CARICOM Agri-food Systems Agenda, to achieve the 25 by 2025 vision on the reduction of the food import bill by 25% by 2025.
It is evident therefore that we are charting the right course,” she stated.

The laboratory enhancements were part of the “Strengthening of the Regional Quality Infrastructure in Barbados, Dominica, and Saint Kitts and Nevis” Project.

The two-year initiative is financed by the European Union (EU) and managed by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) Standby Facility for Capacity Building.
The CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) serves as the implementing agency for the Project.

In Saint Kitts and Nevis, Project outcomes have led to the procurement of equipment and training of specialists in the metrology laboratory, as well as aided in the development of a TRADE AT A GLANCE PAGE 16 Manufacturers in Saint Kitts and Nevis to benefit from SKNBS Lab Upgrades continued National Quality Policy for the Federation.
Director of CDB’s Projects Department, Mr. Daniel Best echoed Mrs. Weekes’ sentiments about the gains made by the project for local producers.

The pandemic, he stated, had underscored the importance of manufacturing for the region as a key driver for competitiveness and job creation.

“Today marks a major victory for national quality infrastructure (NQI) as a mechanism for effective trade facilitation in Saint Kitts and Nevis and other CARIFORUM Member States.
The laboratory upgrades we have completed help to chart a clear pathway to improved compliance with quality standards that will lead to greater opportunities, particularly in the manufacturing sector...

Through these investments and capacity building, local manufacturers gain access to accurate testing services that certify their products to meet export criteria regionally and internationally,” Mr. Best pointed out.
CROSQ’s CEO, Mr. Deryck Omar agreed, underscoring the role quality has been playing in preparing the region’s producing sectors for greater opportunities.

“A lot has been happening to bring partnerships of value to better integrate us as a Caribbean in trade and cooperation, and today’s lab commissioning to further strengthen our quality infrastructure, will go a long way towards continuing this journey to greater advancement for the region,” said Mr. Omar.
Project Manager for the Delegation of the European Union to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States, the OECS and CARICOM/CARIFORUM, Mr. Sheldon Jackman noted the contribution of the initiative to boosting regional economies and trade.
“Just to underscore the significance of today’s event, a well-functioning Quality Infrastructure will open doors for producers in CARIFORUM countries to the regional and international markets, and particularly the huge EU market of above 500 million consumers, helping the regional producers raise the standard of their goods and services, and thereby enhancing their competitiveness,” he stated, further expressing the EU’s commitment to maintaining such collaborative partnerships as has been brought about under the project.
CARIFORUM’s Deputy Programme Manager, Mrs. Yvanette Baron-George thanked all the partners involved for their commitment to funding and implementing the initiative.

She hailed the project as CARIFORUM, one-step closer towards development of a harmonised Regional Quality Infrastructure.
The upgrading of the metrology laboratory allows for an easier marrying of policy, as the Federation also now has a National Quality Policy, with the scientific measurement TRADE AT A GLANCE PAGE 17 Manufacturers in Saint Kitts and Nevis to benefit from SKNBS Lab Upgrades continued infrastructure which can now more greatly respond to the demands of agriculture and manufacturing sectors in such a way that complements national development objectives.
Federation also now has a National Quality Policy, with the scientific measurement infrastructure which can now more greatly respond to the demands of agriculture and manufacturing sectors in such a way that complements national development objectives.
-END- For more information, please contact: Ms. Carissa Franks Benjamin St. Kitts and Nevis Bureau of Standards Email: carissa.franks-benjamin@gov.kn Ms. Latoya K. Burnham CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards & Quality Email: latoya.burnham@crosq.org Ms. Shireen Cuthbert Caribbean Development Bank Email: shireen.cuthbert@caribank.org TRADE AT A GLANCE PAGE 18 C I G U A T E R A T O X I N I N F I S H T R A I N I N G Mr. Stuart Laplace, Director of the St. Kitts and Nevis Bureau of Standards and Mr. Franklyn Connor, Chemist, attended the Ciguatera Toxin in Fish Training which took place at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama from 10th - 19th September 2022.
The purpose of the workshop was to ensure that the participants were trained to detect toxins the presence of ciguatera causing fish poisoning by using various standard operating methods.

for these toxins the need fish poisoning is a worldwide Ciguatera concern caused by the consumption of fish contaminated with ciguatoxins not only in endemic regions in the Pacific Ocean or the Caribbean Sea but also in emerging areas of the Eastern Atlantic.
The recent emergence in other coastal areas, of worldwide, prompted the characterization of the risk in these focused areas.

This ciguatera fish poisoning risk has been recently identified as a potential threat in subtropical areas of the Atlantic Coast and scientific efforts are being focused in the identification and confirmation of the toxins involved in this potential risk.
Caribbean ciguatoxins were to be mainly responsible for the toxicity of the fish in our region, hence the rise in the number of cases in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis affected by fish poisoning.
found A team of ten, including researchers and divers, from the United States (Alabama and Miami) came to the federation from the 23rd – 30th July; and were the first Caribbean Islands from which a large number of fish collected, after being samples were the suspected of possible exposure ciguatoxins, and of which were returned to their team was for analysis.
The accompanied by national stakeholders, the St. Kitts and Nevis Bureau of Standards as the future testing laboratory, the Fisheries Department and the Ministry of Health to accomplish the aforementioned task.

To build synergy, training was provided in different respective areas of departments/Ministries mentioned above.
interest labs the for to Photo (right): Director Stuart Laplace TRADE AT A GLANCE Photo Connor, Chemist (above): Mr. Franklyn PAGE 19 International Atomic Energy Agency RAIS+ Workshop Mr. Stuart Laplace, Director of the SKNBS, journeyed to Kingston Jamaica from the 8th - 12th August, 2022.

He represented St. Kitts in an IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) workshop facilitated by experts from the IAEA and hosted by the Jamaica Hazardous Substances Regulatory Authority (HSRA).
In attendance were representatives from several agencies including the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Belize Environmental Agency, Barbados Environmental Agency, Antigua Bureau of Standards, Antigua Customs and the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards.

Upon discussion, the SKNBS will be the focal point for the agency.

At they the workshop, further discussed the framework to see how St. Kitts could benefit from training and equipment and the development of RAIS+.
RAIS+ is a comprehensive system for the regulatory framework, including national regulatory infrastructure information, facilities and departments, radiation sources and associated equipment, authorization, inspection, enforcement, workers, radiation events, and technical services.

Staff would also have a Radioactive accident response training for the most effective and efficient outcome.
The Regulatory Authority Information System (RAIS) is a software application developed by the IAEA to assist Member States in managing their regulatory control programmes in accordance with IAEA Safety Standards and guides.
It promotes a consistent and common approach to the regulatory control of radiation sources while offering the flexibility to respond to the specific needs of Member States with respect to their national legislative frameworks, administrative structures and institutional and regulatory frameworks.
TRADE AT A GLANCE PAGE 20 Ministry of International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs The official quarterly newsletter of the MINISTRY OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE, INDUSTRY, COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS Social Media Platforms LINKS Ministry of International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs https://www.facebook.com/SKNMITICCA https://twitter.com/MiticcaK Email: foreigntrade@gov.kn Website: https://miticca.gov.kn/ Tel: (869) 465 – 2521 Ext.
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