Seychelles Nation - 12.11.2008
Exceptionally high-quality products and services are the key to economic expansion, which is where Seychelles’ future lies, leaders of various sectors were told yesterday.
Dr Rolph Payet, chairman of the Seychelles Bureau of Standards, made this statement as he launched a seminar the bureau had organised on progress of the country’s National Quality Infrastructure (NQI).
The one-day session at the International Conference Centre was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and PTB International Technical Cooperation of Germany.
Dr Payet addressing delegates at the opening of the seminar yesterday
PTB’s consultant Martin Kellermann, an expert on standardisation and technical regulation, led the seminar, which was also aimed at giving the delegates an overview of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreement on technical barriers to trade.
Dr Payet said as Seychelles has had dealings with the world through shipping, tourism and financial services, it is important that we seek to develop and carry out best practices and state-of-the-art legislation to increase economic growth through these fields.
He added that those present at the seminar would gain invaluable insight into how the NQI works and he commended the efforts of local organisations to make quality in products and services a priority for this country.
“Standards, no doubt, can bring enormous benefits to consumers and producers alike. At the same time these standards also facilitate trade, allowing for economies of scale to emerge, as well as transfer of technology,” he said.
“In fact, because of our electronic interconnectedness, it is possible to say that the world has shrunk into a global village.”
Dr Payet added that standards are voluntary in nature but invaluable in practice, and so efforts to make sure they are followed will need serious consideration if we are to move forward as a nation.
The seminar delegates – chief executives, directors and representatives of various sectors of the economy – also discussed NQI challenges for developing economies and the NQI’s contribution to good governance.
