GUYANESE at home and abroad, including the private and public sectors, have warmly welcomed the recent visa waiver allowing holders of Guyanese passports to travel to the UK for up to six months, without staying to study, live or work.

It follows much lobbying from the private sector, civil society and government and all agree it represents another sign of the confidence the UK has in the growth of its relationship with Guyana under the current administration, also following meetings President, Dr Irfaan Ali, had with former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and others.

President Ali has naturally called on Guyanese not to abuse this novel opportunity, saying the two countries will be working “very closely” to guard against abuse, as the government plans using the UK’s case as a springboard to lobby for visa-free travel to other countries, including Schengen visas required to travel to many European Union (EU) nations.

The president’s warning cannot be underestimated or over-stressed, as there’s so much at stake in terms of the business, trade and tourism opportunities available both ways.

Guyana has become the UK’s largest trading partner in the Caribbean, amounting in 2021 to 516 million pounds or 21.6 per cent of UK-Caribbean trade.

The agreement also comes at a time when Guyana enjoys a trade balance surplus with the UK as of last year, with local 2021 exports accounting for 6.5 per cent of all, while imports accounted for 1.7 per cent, with the overall trade balance surplus at US $208 million.

Trade is a two-way street and in February, a British business delegation visited Guyana canvassing potential investment opportunities and another is expected next month, with more reciprocal missions also being encouraged.

The Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) urges members to actively seek diversified prospects for actual business, participation and representation in UK-based business forums, trade fairs and programmes that will facilitate improved international relations among the Guyana-UK private sectors, leveraging resources and opportunities between Guyana and the UK, which is essential for expanded access to improved products and services across all industries between both countries.

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) says the decision “demonstrates the strength of our economy, signals the ease of travel, deepening of co-operation and collaboration between the UK and Guyana, and will bring great value to our growing private sector.”

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) noted this move “bodes well for Guyana and the UK in terms of improving and strengthening bilateral trade relations between the two countries, while promoting the free movement of people to the UK.”

In effect, the response to the waiver is such that it is imperative that Guyana not only protects it, but also ensures it is a successful venture that has multiple future benefits, not only for private sector interests, but for the public at large.

In actuality, what it means is that any Guyanese national (or holder of a Guyanese passport) no longer needs to contemplate the dissuasive time-consuming agony of proving who they say they are, but can purchase a ticket to the UK without being asked “You have a visa?”

It also means that Guyanese exporters and private sector interests with interest in contemplating investing in and on the UK market can give some extra haste to their direct communications with potential partners.

As such, as President Ali has said and the private sector entities have reiterated since the announcement, this is one of those benefits the nation has to seriously protect and guarantee, with as much assurance possible, that there is no wavering on this important waiver.