National Agencies
There are several national agencies in Barbados that work across many areas, including capacity-building, finance, health, education and sustainable development. National agencies are publicly funded bodies, commissions, state-owned enterprises or authorities established under an Act of Parliament. They include the Barbados National Standards Institution (BNSI), established under the Companies Act as a joint venture between the Government of Barbados and the private sector to regulate and ensure that international standards are maintained; the National Council for Science and Technology (NCST), which coordinates local activities in science and technology; and the Fair Trading Commission, which regulates utilities and ensures consumer protection.