by Shamar Blunt
Unicomer (Barbados) Limited, trading as Courts, has been awarded the first ever Barbados National Standards Institution (BNSI) Safe Business Verification Certificate.
This certification, which is the first of its kind not only on the island, but in the entire region, comes as the BNSI seeks to bring local businesses up to international health and safety standards, in light of the current COVID-19 epidemic.
During Tuesday’s presentation at the St. George Street branch for Courts Barbados Ltd., acting deputy director of the BNSI, Haydn Rhynd, said that this new verification process for businesses was seen as an important one to instil consumer confidence during these times.
“This is an initiative coming out of the pandemic [and] was one of the responses coming from the BSNI and the Ministry, where we recognized that the trust and the safety, and the confidence of not just consumers, but staff and all employees of businesses post COVID-19 needed to be supported.
“Our initiative gives that support, because we have outlined not just the precautious to mitigate against the COVID-19, but also to ensure that the international best practices, as far as occupational health and safety are maintained,” Rhynd explained.
Managing Director of Unicomer (Barbados) Ltd, Trisha Tannis thanked the team at the Bridgetown branch for their efforts and dedication towards maintaining the highest level of safety for customers who do business at the location.
“For the past 55 years in Barbados, our communities have always been our paramount focus. We have demonstrated this in many ways, but principally in giving every Barbadian more access to affordable shopping and easy financing.
“This BNSI certification is yet another demonstration of that commitment, and I trust it serves as a beacon to our suppliers, vendors, partners, staff and indeed other businesses, that we intend to do all that we can during these unprecedented times to keep our customers and each other safe.”
She added: “At this period in our business calendar, we would historically see our island’s commercial activity hubs swell with crowds, and become a hive of shopping activity.
Of course, this year we face a much more sober note, and we’ve all had to adapt.
“This year we as well as all other retailers locally and internationally have had to find creative ways to swell the crowds virtually and to push traffic to alternative channels while delivering a seamless shopping [experience] to our clients.
“At this time of year also, Courts is synonymous with great shopping with the best deals and offers. Be assured we are putting alternative arrangements in place to allow
our customers to safely and easily access these deals,” Tannis added.
Minister of Energy, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Kerrie Symmonds, also attended the morning’s presentation, and said that the time has come for more local businesses to be recognized for the high standards of service they provided.
“For far too long, we have had an ecosystem of businesses in this country, which though obviously providing goods and services at the highest standard for our people, they were not so certified and verified.
“That we as a Barbadian community put those businesses in a position, where by giving them a stamp of recognition and approval as a Barbadian people, that we allow them to hold themselves up as symbols of excellence to the world. This is a journey that the BNSI has embarked upon, and I am very proud to be able to associate myself with this drive,” he said.
