THE Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) is intensifying efforts to advocate for the removal of visitor-visa requirements for Guyanese citizens in New Zealand, aiming to bolster international travel and economic ties.

In a recent meeting held at the GCCI’s headquarters on Waterloo Street, Georgetown, GCCI President Kester Hutson and Senior Vice-President Richard Rambarran raised the issue with Linda Te Puni, the Non-resident High Commissioner (designate) to Guyana from New Zealand.

The discussion centred on the abolition of New Zealand’s visitor-visa requirement for Guyanese citizens, with GCCI also lobbying for the establishment of a local mission for the Caribbean and fostering a continued working relationship between the Chamber and New Zealand.

Additionally, talks touched upon potential collaboration between Guyana and New Zealand in various sectors including energy, climate-smart agriculture, sports, and education, as per a Facebook post from GCCI.

Linda Te Puni, based in Wellington, New Zealand, visited Guyana to present her credentials to the government and CARICOM officials, seeking insights into the local business and economic environment.

This advocacy from the GCCI follows similar efforts aimed at Canada. In November 2022, Guyana requested Canada to waive its tourist-visa requirement for Guyanese citizens.

GCCI further intensified its call in June 2023, urging Canada to remove the visa restriction, particularly in the light of Canada’s decision to grant visa-free entry to 13 other countries, including several CARICOM nations.

Highlighting the long-standing diplomatic and economic ties between Guyana and Canada, the GCCI emphasised that Guyana is Canada’s third-largest merchandising partner within CARICOM and one of the fastest-growing economies globally. With a Guyanese diaspora of over 85,000 in Canada, the GCCI asserts that lifting visa restrictions will enhance trade relations, deepen commercial ties and stimulate economic growth for both nations.

Moreover, the GCCI credited its advocacy efforts for the United Kingdom’s decision in 2022 to lift visa restrictions for Guyanese visitors, allowing them to visit the UK for up to six months. GCCI President, Mr. Timothy Tucker, has been a consistent advocate for the removal of visa restrictions, celebrating the fruition of this initiative.

As the GCCI continues its diplomatic endeavours, it remains committed to facilitating smoother international travel and fostering stronger economic partnerships to benefit both Guyana and its international allies.