Guyana talks visa-free travel with Italy

The Guyana Government is currently eyeing the possibility of visa-free travel to Italy, as Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd engaged Non-Resident Ambassador, Fabrizio Nicoletti.

The Minister received a courtesy call on Monday from Ambassador Nicoletti, during which he noted that Guyana is committed to fostering stronger bilateral relations and partnership with Italy in priority areas of the Government including health, education and security.
Minister Todd also initiated talks on visa-free travel to Italy for the mutual benefit of both countries, particularly through private sector engagements and people to people exchanges, which will be advanced in the future.
The Foreign Affairs Minister underscored that Italy and the European Union remain valuable partners to Guyana and Caricom. On this note, the Ambassador alluded to several technical cooperation initiatives including Italy’s role in supporting the Agri-Food Systems agenda of Caricom towards reducing the Region’s food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.
The Caricom Agri-Food Systems Agenda is led by President Dr Irfaan Ali and current implementation of the agenda gives special attention to priority crops and products in Member States to achieve this target.
The Ambassador-Designate also presented his Letter of Credence to President Ali on Monday.
With Guyana categorised as one of the fastest growing economies in the world, Government has boasted of the increased value to the Guyanese passport. With its 61st ranking and an overall medium mobility score as of this year, Guyana’s passport is ranked over a number of countries in the Region when it comes to visa-free travel, including neighbouring Suriname, Jamaica and Cuba.
This is according to Visa Index, which is owned and operated by Guide Consultants, in its 2022 rankings. It was explained that the ranking gives Guyana visa-free access to 52 countries, including Fiji, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ghana, Ireland, Qatar, Russia and Singapore, in addition to visa on arrival access to 35 destinations.
Just last month, the ground-breaking announcement was made that holders of a valid Guyanese passport would no longer need to have a visa to enter the United Kingdom (UK), following a decision by the UK to remove visitor visa requirements for Guyanese to travel to their country, for up to six months.
The idea was to foster more business opportunities between the two countries. Meanwhile, it was revealed that British Airways would also be providing direct flights between the two countries from next year.
In response, President Dr Irfaan Ali described the decision as a demonstration of British confidence in Guyana. (G12)