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On November 28, the GCCI’s Trade and Investment Committee collaborated with the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) and the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) to host an awareness seminar for members that provided insights into Guyana’s standards and requirements for the manufacturing and importation of food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics; the enforcement of standards and verification, as well as the services provided by the two agencies.

Business Development Officer of the GNBS, Mr. Shivraj Ramdat provided participants of the hybrid session with information on the Bureau’s core services including training and technical assistance, certification, calibration and testing, verification, standards development, and product inspection. He also outlined other services offered such as product compliance, business development, standardisation, industrial metrology and testing and legal metrology.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Melody Hutson and Ms. Kerri Ann Warde of the GA-FDD educated participants on Guyana’s Food Safety Legislation, the organisation’s laboratory and inspection services, the department’s roles and responsibilities, and the requirements and standards that food importers must comply with. Similar information was provided for the importation of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Chairman of the GCCI’s Trade and Investment Committee, Mr. Devon Seeram noted the importance of this collaborative effort, saying, “We want our memberships to be more au-fait with the requirements…and we want to continue building on the relationship that we have already with these organisations.” Meanwhile, President of the GCCI, Mr. Kester Hutson stated, “We continue to, one, bring awareness to our members, and educate them so they can have better business development strategies.”

This initiative is the latest in a series of awareness sessions coordinated by the Committee to support members in conducting business by familiarising them with the regulations that guide their operations.