Guyana and Barbados have taken another step towards deeper Caribbean integration with the launch of an electronic identification (e-ID) card system that allows citizens of the two countries to travel using a digital identification card instead of a traditional passport.
The new travel arrangement was officially inaugurated on Wednesday when the first passenger departed Guyana for Barbados using only an e-ID card at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, Ogle.
The milestone comes just days before CARICOM Day, commemorated annually on July 4, and underscores the regional bloc’s longstanding goal of facilitating the free movement of Caribbean people.
Guyana and Barbados, together with Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, are the four founding members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The regional body was established with the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas on July 4, 1973, by then Prime Ministers Forbes Burnham of Guyana, Errol Barrow of Barbados, Michael Manley of Jamaica and Dr. Eric Williams of Trinidad and Tobago. The treaty laid the foundation for closer economic integration, coordinated foreign policy and functional cooperation among Caribbean states.
Officials from both countries observed Wednesday’s end-to-end travel process, which included airline check-in, immigration clearance and duty-free purchases, all completed using the e-ID card.
Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation, Zulfikar Ally said the initiative reflects the close relationship between Guyana and Barbados and the shared vision of both governments to modernise regional travel.
“It comes out of the excellent relationship that we have shared between Guyana and Barbados, the excellent relationship between President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who are both visionaries and want to see so much for the people of Guyana and Barbados as well,” Ally said.
The minister said the Guyana-Barbados arrangement is only the beginning, with plans to expand the use of the e-ID card across the Caribbean.
“We are not going to stop here. The e-ID card will also be used for travel throughout the Caribbean,” he said.
“What we are doing here today is the first day that this card will be used on Caribbean Airlines, as well as other airlines, and we are also speaking with LIAT. More and more, you will see the integration of this card with travel throughout and within the region.”
Barbados’ Minister of Innovation, Industry, Science and Technology, Jonathon Reid, who participated in the inaugural journey, said the initiative illustrates how technology can improve public services and remove barriers to regional travel.
“The idea of regional entities coming together and seeing the opportunity to optimise systems allows people to have a greater quality of life,” Reid said.
Guyana’s Deputy Chief Immigration Officer, Senior Superintendent Stephen Telford, described the launch as a landmark achievement for travellers.
“This is an exciting time for Guyana, and it is wonderful to know that you can travel with a card from Guyana to Barbados and to travel back,” he said.
Barbados’ Chief Immigration Officer, Margaret Innes said the successful implementation of the initiative reflects the enduring partnership between the two countries and advances the objectives envisioned by CARICOM’s founders more than five decades ago.
“This is indeed a moment for us, great collaboration and the great friendships over the years between Guyana and Barbados. It speaks deeply to regional integration and certainly moves us in the right direction,” Innes said.
The e-ID travel system was implemented through collaboration among immigration authorities, customs agencies, airlines and other stakeholders in Guyana and Barbados.
Officials say the programme is expected to expand to additional CARICOM member states, bringing the region closer to the Community’s long-standing objective of easier, faster and more secure movement of its citizens.
