National Quality Infrastructure project reported complete

The Department of Public Information said on 26 October 2026 that the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) project, a programme backed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), has been completed.

The project aimed to support economic diversification and exports. One goal was to improve NQI facilities. It was an IDB loan numbered GY-L1059, approved on 30 November 2016.

The Department of Public Information said the improvements include a lab for calibrating large weights. It also includes a volumetric lab. Calibrating means checking that a measuring tool gives the right reading. The volumetric lab helps with accurate volume measurements.

The department also said more than 6,000 stakeholders took part in training and skill-building under the project.

Stabroek News reported on 22 February 2017 that the original loan was US$9 million. The Government of Guyana signed it with the IDB on 21 February 2017. The Ministry of Business led the programme. The loan also paid for export and investment promotion work by GOINVEST.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) said the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) is the national standards and metrology body. The IDB said the project included a new complex for the GNBS secretariat, paid for by the loan. The bank said the loan also paid for designs of the GNBS labs.

When the loan was approved, Guyana had only two accredited (officially approved) laboratories. Neither could certify non-traditional exports. The IDB said it would help accredit labs and train their staff.

The IDB's project page now lists the loan as closed.

The story was first reported by the Department of Public Information.