The partial abolition of visas extends to travellers using national passports and tourists and visitors whose stay does not exceed 90 days, but renewable to a total length of stay not exceeding 180 days, the HPS informed reporters.

According to him the abolishing of the visa requirements is one of “a number of other diplomatic engagements favouring cooperation between Guyana and Brazil. In addition, he said the Guyana Government has approved the request of Brazil to establish an Honorary Consulate in Lethem. Recently, Guyana established an Honourary Consulate in Boa Vista, Brazil.

The request by Brazil follows upon the establishment of a regular air service between the two Meta Airline, and an international road transport agreement for commuters and goods.

“Cabinet considers these developments reflective of a major policy decision and the heightened efforts being made to give fruition to that policy,” Dr. Luncheon remarked.

Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation, Clement Rohee, during a recent visit, as part of the African, Pacific and Caribbean countries to Brazil, signed the international road transport agreement on behalf of the Government of Guyana. He said as soon as the requisite legislation and legal orders come into effect on both sides of the border, the very important road link will be recognised as an international highway and will facilitate the unhindered movement of goods and people to and from the neighbours. Hitherto, this movement was restricted because of the regulations existing in Brazil, and the conclusion of the agreement will see those restrictions and legal hindrances removed.

"While in Brazil I took the opportunity to sign the International Road Transport Agreement on the movement for passenger and goods between Brazil and Guyana. This is a very important agreement because it is linked to the road between Guyana and Brazil, and the construction of the bridge across the Takutu River. In other words, as the situation stands now, goods and passengers moving on that road will not be granted certain benefits and certain rights, until this agreement is really put in place. The agreement is the first step, the next step is for the subject minister, namely Home Affairs to issue a number of orders to ensure that the implementation of this agreement is in place," Rohee reported.

Dr. Luncheon reported that surveys have been completed regarding the effective and regular use of the Brazil/ Guyana road. Among the action taken by the team were the identification and placement of signs, signals and other devices to support the regularisation of traffic on the road, he added.

Discussions should soon conclude with insurance companies for the implementation of a similar mechanism that exists with the Surinamese authorities, as regards Surinamese vehicles travelling to Guyana via the Moleson Creek Ferry Service, Luncheon said.

“Once implemented, this should provide the fullest guarantee that would ensure the smooth operation of the land transport agreement,” the HPS opined.

The Guyana/Brazil road link came in for special attention at the Second Meeting of South American Presidents held in Guayaquil, Ecuador in July last year.

Foreign Affairs Minister Rudy Insanally who represented Guyana at the meeting reported that the concept of Guyana being the gateway to South America captured the interest of South American leaders.

Insanally noted that one of its primary concerns was linking South American countries through trade and infrastructure, especially road networks linking Uruguay, Bolivia and other countries on the Southern Coast.

He said the South American Presidents were very enthusiastic and supportive of the idea of Guyana being the link between South America and the rest of the world. He added that the existing road link between Guyana and Brazil and the possibility of a coastal link with Venezuela were closely examined.

“The mood now seems to be one of intensifying the integration efforts so as to allow the hemisphere to position itself globally, Insanally said and added that “the leaders are now prepared to give the long thought of regional integration push.”

At the meeting the South American Presidents reiterated the importance of expanding and strengthening regional infrastructure as an essential factor for the integration of South America’s economic space.

The Plan identifies 162 transportation, energy and telecommunications projects aimed at strengthening infrastructural links on the continent.