President Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Friday unveiled a limited-edition commemorative gold medallion to mark Guyana’s 60th Independence Anniversary, while officially launching El Dorado Reimagined, the country’s new national gold and jewellery brand aimed at transforming Guyana into a globally recognised producer of premium gold products.
The one-ounce medallion, produced entirely in Guyana — from mining and refining to minting — was presented as a symbol of the country’s push to move beyond the export of raw materials and towards higher-value manufacturing and craftsmanship.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, President Ali said the initiative represents a decisive shift in Guyana’s economic strategy and a bold effort to position the country higher in the global gold value chain.
“For decades, Guyana has done what so many resource-rich nations have done. We dug, we washed, we poured, and we waved goodbye. Ton after ton of primary gold left our shores, and with it jobs, skills and billions in unrealised value,” the President said.
“Today, we are saying not anymore. We must stop acting like a nation of extraction and start acting like a nation of creation,” he declared.
The President explained that El Dorado Reimagined will function as a premium national brand built on the quality of Guyanese gold, the excellence of local craftsmanship and the story of the Guyanese people. He noted that only producers meeting strict international standards and certification requirements will be allowed to operate under the brand.
President Ali outlined plans to market Guyanese jewellery and gold products at major international events, expand into global luxury markets and establish duty-free outlets through Guyana’s overseas missions.
“We want to position this brand as the world’s most prestigious gold brand,” he said, while highlighting the vast opportunities available in the global jewellery industry.
Meanwhile, Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat said the launch demonstrates the Government’s continued commitment to strengthening Guyana’s non-oil economy and traditional productive sectors.
He noted that the gold industry directly and indirectly supports approximately 30,000 Guyanese and remains a critical pillar of the national economy.
“This is not only a showcase of high-quality craftsmanship, but it is also a demonstration of the government’s commitment to growing the non-oil sector and continuing to expand the traditional productive sectors,” Minister Bharrat said.
He added that the commemorative medallion is the first major product under the El Dorado Reimagined initiative and signals Guyana’s intention to become an internationally recognised source of premium gold jewellery and luxury products.
“For too long, we have exported our primary products. Today, we are proud to be launching a coin made from gold mined in Guyana, refined in Guyana and minted by Guyanese craftsmen,” the minister stated.
The launch forms part of the Government’s broader strategy to diversify Guyana’s economy, create new employment opportunities and increase the value derived from the country’s natural resources through local processing, manufacturing and branding.
