KINGSTON, Jamaica – Local companies in the service, manufacturing and agricultural sectors, and from among micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), will be recognised at the National Quality Awards (NQA) Ceremony and Banquet, on Thursday, October 13.

The NQA, a brainchild of the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ), is the country’s first quality systems-based award that recognises and rewards local companies that have demonstrated the application of high standards and quality systems in both the production of goods and delivery of service.

The NQA will be held in the Grande Jamaican Suite at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston, starting at 6:00 pm.

To be eligible for the award, companies had to submit a valid tax-compliance certificate, be registered with the Companies Office of Jamaica and with the BSJ or the National Compliance Regulatory Authority. Agriculture-based companies had to provide proof of their Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) registration and filing of annual returns, General Consumption Tax (GCT) and all other statutory payments.

The awardees were assessed on five pillars – organisation focus (involvement in community activities), human resource focus, process management, customer focus, and business results.

The most outstanding company in each of the four sectors will receive a trophy as well as industry recognition.

Runner-up participants will receive a detailed copy of their reports, which will help to identify gaps in their systems and will offer recommendations to ensure that they are operating at utmost efficiency. They will also receive certificates of participation.

The event, now in its 13th year, seeks to promote the international competitiveness of Jamaican products and services, thereby creating a national medium for business excellence.

Individuals interested in purchasing tickets for the event may send an email to nbrown@bsj.org or call (876) 890-2901.