Guyanese vacationers will now not want a visa to go to the British Virgin Islands (BVI), based on Premier Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley, who made the announcement at a press convention on Tortola. He expressed his pleasure at this improvement, noting that it’s going to strengthen the connection between the Virgin Islands and the area by facilitating simpler journey, commerce, tourism, and funding.
Premier Wheatley emphasised the significance of fostering regional collaboration, which opens up new alternatives for interpersonal communication between the 2 international locations. He identified that visa-free journey has already benefited many Caribbean nations, and lengthening this privilege to Guyana is a recognition of the nation’s vital function in regional collaboration and funding.
He additionally highlighted that Guyana is present process a historic economic transformation, pushed largely by its increasing oil and fuel business, alongside speedy progress in sectors akin to mining, building, and agriculture.
Premier Wheatley recommended Guyana as a mannequin for worldwide diplomacy and sustainable improvement, stating, “Guyana’s election to the United Nations Safety Council positions it to affect international insurance policies on peace and safety, amplifying the Caribbean’s voice on the worldwide stage.” He emphasised that Guyana’s substantial oil reserves and increasing non-oil sectors have established it as a key hub for worldwide funding.
Wheatley famous that numerous nations, together with the US, UK, Canada, and Brazil, have already despatched commerce missions to Guyana, indicating a rising international curiosity within the nation’s financial success.
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Deputy Premier Lorna Smith additionally expressed her delight on the BVI authorities’s resolution to remove visa necessities for Guyanese guests. She highlighted that this transformation will improve commerce relations with the oil-rich nation, underscoring that Guyana is now one of many fastest-growing economies within the Western Hemisphere. As an affiliate member of CARICOM, she added that the BVI has all the time acknowledged Guyana’s potential.
Deputy Premier Lorna Smith emphasised the sturdy cultural connections between the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and Guyana, noting that Guyanese symbolize the third-largest non-BVI inhabitants within the territory. She identified that for a few years, BVI residents have collaborated with Guyanese in numerous professions, together with mechanics, boat captains, academics, and leaders within the monetary providers business.
With the elimination of visa necessities, Deputy Premier Smith highlighted that this transformation will make it simpler for each nations to expertise one another’s cultures, leading to a “win-win” scenario for each international locations.
Relating to meals safety and agriculture, she mirrored on her go to to Guyana final 12 months, the place she noticed firsthand the developments in agriculture and their potential impression on the BVI.
“We see nice alternatives to be taught from Guyana; nonetheless, our present problem is transportation for importing items. This is a matter we’re actively addressing, as we have already got vital maritime commerce between Guyana and the BVI, with potential for additional growth.”
She additionally shared plans to determine a Memorandum of Understanding between Guyana and the BVI to reinforce cooperation in key areas like agriculture, which she considers “very essential” for the territory.
