Minister for Commerce, Business Development, Investment and Consumer Affairs, Hon. Emma Hippolyte, said recently that the standardization of Saint Lucia’s products and services is the key to economic growth.

"In an era of economic globalization, the rapid development of ICT, increases in personal mobility, and the challenge of risk, international standards are necessary to create confidence on a global scale," she said. "As such, standardization is reflected as a key factor to support government’s policies for economic growth, including competiveness, innovation, the reduction of trade barriers, fair trade, the protection of consumer interests, environmental protection and public procurement."

The work of the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards (SLBS) has also added value to many sectors of the economy, as increased participation by industry, technical experts, and public and private sector stakeholders has created the opportunity for the SLBS to provide customized standardization solutions to meet sector needs.

Hippolyte stressed the importance of standardization in Saint Lucia.

 “With the creation of a responsive national and regional quality infrastructure, Saint Lucia will be able to strengthen the confidence of our trading partners and consumers of our products and services,' she explained. "The implementation of standards will be critical in ensuring greater competitiveness for Saint Lucian enterprises and by extension, increase international trade.”

The Commerce Minister commended the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards and all technical experts on their continued efforts to strengthen the national quality infrastructure.