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6 7 T he Board of Directors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has approved US$750,000 in funding for a program that will assist the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) with strengthening intra-regional trade. At least five countries –Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Guyana, Saint Lucia and Suriname –will benefit from three interventions to be implemented by the CARICOM Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ). “This program will assist producers with overcoming some of the challenges encountered when trying to export their products, and will therefore enhance their ability to increase market access, penetrate new markets and integrate into global value chains,” said Daniel Best, Director of Projects, CDB. “Some of the key constraints manufacturers, exporters, and service providers in the CAR- ICOM face are caused by non-tariff trade barriers, otherwise known as technical barriers to trade,” he added. The Director also noted that well-functioning quality infrastructure can minimize TBTs (Technical Barriers to Trade), open doors for producers in CARICOM countries to regional and international markets, and help them to raise the standard of their production processes, thereby enhancing their competitiveness. Quality infrastructure refers to the public and private institutional framework required to implement standardization, accreditation, and conformity assess- ment services, including inspection, testing, and laboratory and product certifi- cation. The CDB-funded interventions will assist with bringing regional goods in line with international standards. They include: developing national quality policies intended to protect consumers and safeguard human health, safety, and the environment; technical assistance to two testing laboratories – to be chosen from among the five countries— for International Standards Organization (ISO) 10725 accreditation; and development and implementation of an awareness campaign to promote and sensitize stakeholders, particularly women, indige- nous people, youth, and other minority and at risk groups, on matters related to the development and implementation of quality policies, and to improve knowledge and use of accredited testing services. CROSQ is scheduled to commence the 18-month strengthening of regional quality infrastructure program in May, 2018. The interventions to be rolled out under the initiative are consistent with the bank’s strategic objective of sup- porting inclusive and sustainable growth and development within its borrow- ing member countries. CDB ANNOUNCES PROGRAM TO SUPPORT INCREASED TRADE AMONG CARICOM STATES OPENING LINES