By Bosco Bush
South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) has nominated six outstanding companies and businesses as finalists for the esteemed 2024 National Quality Awards.
National Quality Awards Competition Committee, conducted the selection in collaboration with South Sudan Chamber of Commerce.
The annual awards program aims at recognizing entities and individuals that demonstrate excellence in continuous quality improvement, innovation and the deployment of products and operational processes that ensure competitiveness, business growth, societal development, and environmental sustainability in accordance with applicable standards.
The companies shortlisted for the 2024 National Quality Awards include; Hagana Agro-processing, Nice Beverages and Food Stuff, JIT Beverages, Junub Distillers, Urban South Group, and ELAAG Agriculture Company.
Winners of the National Quality Awards will qualify to represent South Sudan for the first time in the East African Community Regional Quality Awards, competing against top performers from across the East African region.
“These Awards underscore our commitment to elevating quality standards in South Sudan and fostering a competitive, sustainable business environment,” read part of the statement from SSNBS.
SSNBS announced the launch of the first-ever national quality gala awards for manufacturers and companies in the country, Last August.
The exercise is meant to identify companies that have invested resources in ensuring their products meet the required local and international standards.
SSNBS enhances the coordination of programs and projects that promote effective standards, quality assurance, metrology, testing, accreditation, calibration, and inspection services in South Sudan.
The Bureau plays a key role in the country’s accession to WTO by ensuring standards, technical regulations, and conformity assessments are not obstacles to trade by following specific bases in all scientific decisions.
Meanwhile, the East African Community (EAC) Regional Quality Awards which aims to recognize and reward outstanding achievements in quality standards across the region annually is slated to take place in Arusha, Tanzania on November 30, 2024.
These awards bring together winners from National Quality Awards in each EAC partner State to compete at the regional level.
The awards cover various categories, including Company of the Year, Product of the Year, Service of the Year, Exporter of the Year, and Individual of the Year.