BVI Government Considering Lifting Visa Requirements For Guyanese

– Territory Seeks Business Partnerships WIth The Oil Rich South American Nation

Deputy Premier Lorna Smith has revealed that the British Virgin Islands government is seriously considering lifting the visa requirement for Guyanese travelling to the territory.

Smith on August 4 wrapped up a 17-member Trade Mission to the South American oil-rich country. She made the disclosure during an interview with a top local news agency – Newsroom.

“I have had discussions with the premier. In fact I have asked him very directly about the visa situation because Guyanese do require visas to visit the BVI and he has authorised me to say that we are considering lifting that requirement,” the Deputy Premier said.

“I expect that to happen very soon,” she added in the interview that was broadcast locally and on social media.

The Financial Services, Labour and Trade Minister stressed that if the British Virgin Islands is “serious about doing business with Guyana, if we are serious about a partnership with Guyana that is the first thing that has to be lifted. So I have no doubt that that is something that will happen very quickly.”

The delegation arrived in Guyana on July 30 and wrapped up discussions with high-ranking officials, including Prime Minister Mark Phillips on August 4.

The main aim was to foster collaborative opportunities, enhance bilateral trade, and promote mutual economic growth.

Junior Minister for Agriculture Karl Dawson also travelled with the group and held talks to explore partnerships to boost the territory’s food security using Guyana’s agricultural expertise.

“I have made it very clear that it’s a two-way street. Guaynese have been supporting BVI’s development since the 60s,” the Deputy Premier noted, sharing that she remembers Guyanese working with a British company that “helped us to build our infrastructure, our main roads, our access to our airport, bridge..” and “Guyanese supporting me and teaching me.”

Smith reassured the Guyanese public that “we are not here to take anything from Guyana, we want to support each other and I firmly believed that because of our wealth of knowledge in financial service especially. I am very optimistic about being here, about the future relations between Guyana and the British Virgin Islands.