PSC Head renews call for coordinated effort by private, public sectors to combat illegal trade

As the Private Sector Commission of Guyana Ltd. (PSC) intensifies the fight against illegal trade, its Chairman, Capt. Gerald Gouveia Jr., has underscored the importance of coordination between the public and private sectors in combatting this issue.

Gouveia Jr. emphasised that illegal trade continues to pose significant challenges to legitimate businesses, consumer protection, and national economic development.

“Combating illegal trade requires a coordinated and sustained effort from both the public and private sectors. The Private Sector Commission remains committed to working alongside government, enforcement agencies, and our private sector partners to strengthen enforcement, improve coordination, and promote practical solutions that protect businesses and the wider economy,” the PSC Chairman stated.

He made these remarks as the PSC, through its Illicit Trade Desk, hosted a targeted informative session aimed at strengthening enforcement capacity and enhancing collaboration among the private sector, government agencies, and other stakeholders in the fight against illegal trade.

The event, held on Thursday at the Roraima Duke Lodge, brought together representatives from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU), and the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), along with representatives of leading private sector companies, including Demerara Tobacco Company (DEMTOCO), Banks DIH, Massy Distribution, and the ANSA McAL, Group

The session focused on equipping enforcement officers with the practical knowledge and tools needed to identify illicit and counterfeit products, understand supply chain vulnerabilities, and strengthen intelligence-sharing practices. Industry representatives delivered comprehensive presentations featuring recent market research, case studies, and insights to help attendees better understand the growing challenge of illicit trade in Guyana, its impact on businesses and consumers, and effective methods for detecting and responding to illicit trade activities.

Meanwhile, a key highlight of the event was the formal handover of operational equipment, including tactical suits, flashlights, flotation and ballistic vests, safety boots, and LED traffic wand batons.

The equipment is intended to enhance operational effectiveness, improve situational awareness and strengthen the capacity of officers engaged in3 anti-illicit trade s activities.

Representatives from participating companies reinforced the importance of collaboration in addressing the challenges posed by illegal trade within their respective industries and highlighted the value of sustained engagement between industry and enforcement agencies.

The PSC reaffirmed its commitment to continuing its work with government agencies, enforcement authorities, and private sector stakeholders to develop sustainable solutions that strengthen enforcement, improve coordination, and reduce the impact of illegal trade in Guyana. The Commission also looks forward to continued dialogue with the enforcement agencies on this issue and to the establishment of a dedicated task force to advance coordinated action against illegal trade.

The event concluded with a networking reception, providing participants with an opportunity to foster stronger partnerships, continue discussions on the issue, and identify future areas of collaboration.

The PSC launched its Illicit Trade Desk in 2023 as a central private-sector mechanism to identify trade-related threats such as smuggling and counterfeiting, while promoting stakeholder collaboration, public awareness, and improved monitoring of enforcement efforts.

Just over a year ago, the umbrella private sector body had called for stronger penalties, greater accountability, and enhanced collaboration among agencies in combatting illicit trade. In fact, the Commission had also pushed for the establishment of a National Illicit Trade Task Force to focus on developing coordinated strategies, legislative frameworks, and enforcement actions to combat the wide-ranging effects of illicit trade on the country’s economy and public well-being.

In July 2025, private sector stakeholders had reported a 25 per cent market loss due to illegal tobacco products, as well as up to 80 per cent of premium products within certain sectors being smuggled into the local market.