— says Region Three commerce president

REGION Three Chamber of Commerce President, Halim Khan, has said any imposition of visa restrictions on Cubans visiting Guyana would be equivalent to promoting an embargo on free trade here.

The chamber president made the remarks in wake of a move by the Cuban Government to abolish the non-visa requirement for Cubans visiting Guyana.
This essentially means, if this request is granted, Cubans wishing to come to here would need a visa.

According to Director of the Division of Consular Affairs and Cuban Resident Abroad, Ernesto Soberon Guzman, the move by Cuba is not to stop Cubans from coming to Guyana, but to ensure a smooth and legal flow of traffic.

Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix, has since said that Cuba’s request has been taken into consideration and all efforts will be made to support that country’s migration flow.
However, Khan has expressed some concerns. He said while there is an intention to put a restriction on Cubans travelling to Guyana, Panama has taken steps to attract Cuban shoppers as it realised many are visiting Guyana to seek bargains.

Khan explained that with the large number of Cubans travelling to Guyana in search of bargains, Panama has taken steps to allow greater flexibility in travel for Cubans who are engaged in merchandising and tourism.

He noted that entry requirements for Cubans have been altered by the Panamanian government, with the new migratory policy providing Cubans with a “tourism card” which allows them to stay in the country for a maximum of 30 days without any visa requirements.

The Region Three Chamber president explained that Cubans have been travelling to Haiti, Panama, Mexico, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, purchasing commodities such as clothing, household items, hardware, and personal care products, which are said to be retailed in Cuban stores.

Khan said based on his knowledge in Panama, the Colon Free Trade Zone has a “Little Havana” where Cubans spent US$310M in 2018 and are on track for increase spending in 2019.

“This type of economic injection is needed in Guyana and if a burden is being placed on Cubans visiting Guyana then that will ultimately affect all businesses in the country,” Khan said.

The prices for goods in Guyana are far cheaper compared to Panama.
Locally, it is estimated that Cubans purchase some G$500M in goods annually.

According to Khan, not only are cambios reaping the benefit from the Cubans’ heavy presence in Guyana, but other businesses as well, such as hotels, food establishments and taxis.
Further, he explained that Cubans who require American visas now also have to visit Guyana, instead of Colombia as of June, 2018.

“Now they have to get a visa to come to Guyana if they also want a visa to travel to the US; I don’t see the sense in such a restriction from Guyana,” Khan noted.

He said that in many conversations with Cubans, the sentiments are negative pertaining to issuing a visa restriction for visits to Guyana.