New Delhi, Aug 8 (KNN) Union Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) has emphasized that in order to promote 'Make in India' initiative, the private security industry should explore possibilities to start manufacturing security equipment in India and for the export market as well.

Addressing FICCI webinar ‘Future of Private Security Industry AtmaNirbhar Bharat: Boosting MSMEs for Quality Security Services & Manufacturing of CCTV & Fire Safety Systems’, Mr Gadkari said, “COVID-19 lockdown has made us realize the significance of unarmed security guards.”

''Currently, our economy is facing lots of challenges and the government is keen to support the private security industry which has the potential to be one of the largest employers in India,'' he added.

Assuring the industry members for all possible support on issues and bottlenecks faced by them, he advised the private security industry to work on ‘Multi Model Services’. The industry in the future will witness an integration of manpower with technology, and this requires skill development, hence Gadkari urged FICCI to look at opportunities for skilling in manned guarding, fire safety and electronic security.

Emphasizing on the importance of technology in the electronic equipment used by the private security industry, Gadkari said, “The current times requires personnel security guards to multitask and use technology to perform security, safety and facilitation functions, therefore Indian companies must come forward and start manufacturing the electronic equipment in India itself.”

He also said the country must work together to achieve the target of PM Narendra Modi to make India a $5 trillion economy, which may look difficult but not impossible to achieve.

''With positivity and self-confidence, India will come out of COVID-19 crisis,'' he added.