Press Release SSB celebrates its 19th anniversary and launches National Quality Awards Programme 2026–2027

PRESS RELEASE

SSB celebrates its 19th anniversary and launches National Quality Awards Programme 2026-2027

Paramaribo, October 15, 2026 - The Suriname Standards Bureau (SSB) celebrated on the 15th of October its 19th anniversary with the official launch of the National Quality Awards (NQA) Programme 2026–2027. The event took place in the in de SAIS Conference Room at the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fishery (LVV) on Letitia Vriesdelaan, and was attended by representatives from government agencies, international partner organizations, the business community, and other invited guests.

The event focused on quality enhancement, organizational development, and strengthening the competitiveness of Surinamese enterprises. Through the NQA Programme, the SSB aims to encourage organizations to invest structurally in quality and to systematically improve their performance.

National Quality Awards Programme 2026–2027

The National Quality Awards Programme provides organizations with a framework to assess their performance in quality management, identify strengths, and address areas for improvement. The program aims to foster a culture of quality centered on continuous improvement, reliability, and customer focus.

Mr. Tanwir Hassankhan, Acting Director of the SSB, emphasized in his address that quality extends beyond merely having standards, certificates, or procedures in place. It is primarily about how organizations operate on a daily basis, serve their customers, and fulfill their commitments. He encouraged organizations to take advantage of the program’s opportunities and to view quality as a collective responsibility within their organization.

Dr. Sharonmae Smith Walker, Chief Executive Officer of the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ), also emphasized the importance of quality development, with a particular focus on small and medium-sized enterprises. A structured approach to quality can support these businesses in improving their performance and strengthening their market position. Furthermore, quality development is significant for the region as a whole, as reliable products and services contribute to competitiveness and enhance the ability of enterprises to operate within regional markets.

In her address, the Director of Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation (EZOTI), Ms. Suraksha P. Hirasingh, also touched upon the economic significance of quality. She emphasized that quality improvement can contribute to higher productivity, greater customer confidence, and stronger business relationships. From an economic perspective, it is essential for Surinamese enterprises to continue improving their quality and efficiency in order to seize new market opportunities and strengthen their competitive position.

Official launch

The official launch of the National Quality Awards Programme 2026–2027 was conducted by Ms. Suraksha P. Hirasingh, Director of Economic Affairs. Following this, Ms. Priya Ganesh, NQA Coordinator at the SSB, provided an overview of the programme, its objectives, participation opportunities, benefits for organisations, and the registration procedure.

The program is not aimed exclusively at large enterprises. Micro-enterprises, small and medium-sized businesses, and organizations in sectors such as manufacturing, services, agriculture, and agro-processing can also benefit from a systematic approach to quality. The ultimate goal is not merely to gain recognition, but, more importantly, to achieve sustainable improvements within organizations.

Collaboration with international partners

The implementation of the program is supported by international cooperation. The SSB expresses its appreciation for the European Union, which provides support through the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Phase III Project, and for CROSQ, the German National Metrology Institute (PTB) and the Dominican Institute for Quality (INDOCAL).

This collaboration contributes to the further strengthening of the national quality infrastructure and supports the development of organizations in Suriname.

19 years of commitment to quality and standardization

The 19th anniversary of the SSB marks nearly two decades of commitment to standardization and quality promotion in Suriname. The bureau remains dedicated to raising awareness about standards and quality, and to supporting organizations in improving their products, services, and processes.

With the launch of the National Quality Awards Programme 2026–2027, the SSB underscores its commitment to stronger organizations, a better quality culture, and a more competitive Surinamese business sector.

Organizations that would like to learn more about the National Quality Awards Programme 2026–2027 and the opportunities for participation can contact the Suriname Standards Bureau.

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