Dear Editor,
We should use our diplomatic channels to be included in the EU visa-exempt status. St Lucia and St Kitts & Nevis are two of the Caribbean countries that enjoy a visa exemption from the European Union (EU) to travel within their Schengen countries. The citizens of these two Caribbean islands require only a valid passport with a minimum of three months validity prior to travelling.
Guyana is now becoming an emerging nation in the oil and gas sector, with a global recognition which we should use to facilitate the free movement of our people in order to further the goals of our nation. A visa-exempt status with the EU would allow our entrepreneurs hassle-free access to the businesses in Europe that would want to invest in Guyana and form partnerships.
It would also allow more goods and services to be exported from Guyana to the EU, and reciprocity for goods and services to be imported from EU to Guyana.
Visa exemption would encourage Guyanese to go on vacation in Europe, which has a lot of historical sites that are the bedrock of European civilisation. It can also be used to develop Guyana as a tourist destination for Europeans, which would also mean more airline connections.
Using our diplomatic channels to access this visa-exempt status with the EU would greatly enhance our development and prestige among nations.
Yours sincerely,
Reggie Bhagwandin
