GCCI lobbies for removal of UK visa requirement for Guyanese

With the reintroduction of British Airways to ply the Guyana-United Kingdom route, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has called for the removal of the existing UK visa requirement.

On Thursday, the GCCI said it welcomes the decision by carrier British Airway (BA) to restart its route between Guyana and the United Kingdom (UK). This decision, it said, comes at a time when Guyana has become the largest trading partner in the Caribbean with the UK. This deepened relation, driven largely by enterprise, demonstrates the strengthening of the Guyanese economy.
In light of this, the Chamber reiterated its longstanding call for the removal of the visa requirement that exists for Guyanese who wish to travel to the UK.
“The GCCI is of the view that the removal of this requirement will auger well for continued deepening of economic relations between the countries, and foster Private Sector development in both territories,” the Chamber disclosed.
The GCCI intends to make formal representation to the Governments of both Guyana and the United Kingdom with a view to urging the respective leaders to examine the removal of the visa requirement.
British Airways will begin flying within the first quarter of 2023. They anticipate twice-weekly service to Guyana and return from the airline, which will be using a Boeing 777 that will use 200ER equipment.
However, there will not be direct flights from Guyana to London, since the aircraft will transit in St. Lucia, which will also open new opportunities for that country.
Tickets to travel with British Airways went on sale immediately after the announcement. The new airline provider to Guyana will play a critical role in granting better access to the diaspora in the UK, which surpasses 30,000 people.
Last year, a delegation from the United Kingdom (UK) was in Guyana to discuss bilateral trade opportunities. Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd used that occasion of their meeting to push for, among other things, the removal of visa restrictions for Guyanese to travel to the UK.
He had informed the delegation that the Government of Guyana is on a quest to create an environment that is conducive to business, as it recognises the importance of “ease of business” in attracting investors to Guyana.
It was also not lost on the group that Guyana’s economy is set to undergo a transformation in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), owing to the oil wealth. Despite these developments and Guyana being a part of the Commonwealth, a visa was a requirement for travel to the UK.
Around that period, the GCCI had said it was lobbying for the return of visa-free travel to the UK, especially in light of the increased business activities which were slated to take place between the two nations. (G12)