Government is developing a policy for quality standards in the non-energy manufacturing sector to increase its global competitiveness.
In a statement this week, the Ministry of Trade said the National Quality Policy (NQP) is expected to enhance trade facilitation and market access, creating and sustaining a more enabling environment to facilitate increased global competitiveness.
It said the NQP is "a step in the right direction" and the objective is to establish an appropriate framework for the development of a National Quality Infrastructure (NQI).
"It is an important element in the framework required to build a more diversified economy and improve the economic outlook for the nation," the ministry said.
"Internationally, the quality infrastructure is recognised as a critical support mechanism for social progress and economic development, enabling the participation of developing countries in international trade. This requirement has been recognised in the past by businesses faced with challenges in meeting stringent quality standards abroad and in competing with poor-quality imported products on the local market."
The NQI institutional framework is required to establish and implement standardisation, metrology, scientific, industrial and legal, accreditation and conformity assessment services including inspection, testing and product and system certification necessary to provide acceptable evidence and verification that products and services meet defined requirements.
The Standards Act 1997 mandates the T&T Bureau of Standards (TTBS) to establish a National Quality System.
It is a mechanism that can assist in creating greater cohesion in the quality infrastructure for greater overall effectiveness for the benefit of the country, the ministry said.