At the launch of the Guyana Jewellers Association on Wednesday, Technical Advisor and former government minister, Dominic Gaskin, underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive and specialised security framework to protect the gold and jewellery industry.
“Security, I think, is a major concern for any jeweller, and it has to also be a major concern for the industry as a whole. We are not talking just about me or you securing our premises or our business; we are talking about securing the industry so that Guyana is a safe and secure place to buy jewellery, whether you are a local Guyanese or a foreigner coming here to engage in that activity,” Gaskin explained.
He stressed that the sector cannot rely solely on the Guyana Police Force or private security companies for protection. Instead, he said the industry must take the lead in developing a plan tailored specifically to its needs.
“We cannot wait for the Guyana Police Force to wake up and say, ‘We will look after you guys, we’ve got your back.’ We also cannot wait for the private security companies to come up with some plan for us,” he said. “We need a plan that is tailored for our sector.”
Gaskin proposed that such a security plan should involve professional advice from experts in the field. An assessment would identify all potential risks or threats, followed by the creation of the most effective solutions.
Standardised specifications for equipment such as security cameras and related services would also be included.
“All of that must be put together into a security plan for the sector,” Gaskin stated.
He said such a blueprint would provide clear guidance for jewellers, who should not be expected to become security experts when establishing their businesses.
However, Gaskin emphasised that the plan must be integrated into the national security systems.
“Whatever the plan is, it has to be integrated into the 911 system or the government surveillance system so that whenever there is an incident, those systems are activated immediately,” he explained.
Beyond security, Gaskin highlighted logistics as another critical pillar for supporting the industry’s development. He said Guyana must establish secure methods for transporting high-value packages and urged local logistics service providers to connect with international companies specialising in such services.
“Logistics is a very important part of the big picture, and that needs to be addressed also,” he said.
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