- Guyana to launch a special diaspora bond within one week
- From July 1, 2026, citizens of Guyana-Barbados will be able to travel using only their digital ID cards
- Guyana is advancing talks to digitally connect Guyana-Barbados financial systems
- Barbados announced plans for the proposed Trident Arrow Investment Fund
GUYANA / BARBADOS – The government of Guyana is scheduled to launch a special diaspora bond aimed at raising funds from Guyanese living abroad for investments in public infrastructure projects across the country. President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali announced during a press conference on Tuesday evening at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, coinciding with the country’s Diamond Jubilee anniversary celebrations.
“Members of the diaspora, here is your opportunity to make your contribution and be part of the massive transformation taking place in our country,” president Ali said.
The bond is intended to tap into the financial resources of the Guyanese in the diaspora, directing that capital toward infrastructure development as the country presses forward with its national transformation agenda.
President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Tuesday also announced the successful implementation of digital ID card travel between Guyana and Barbados as a defining moment for regional integration and a major advancement in the Caribbean’s digital transformation agenda.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Guyana National Stadium alongside prime minister Mia Mottley, president Ali announced that from July 1, 2026, citizens of both countries will be able to travel using only their digital ID cards.
“We have said before in one of our first meetings that we will work hard to break every boundary, bring our countries closer and more integrated. And today you have seen the power of the digital ID card,” president Ali stated. While the system is fully operational, airlines were granted additional time to align with the new arrangement before the official launch date. “From July 1 you can forget your passport at home and travel with your digital ID card to Barbados and same from Barbados to Guyana,” he announced.
President Ali described the initiative as a significant step towards regional digital integration, border modernisation and the advancement of CARICOM cooperation. He noted that the digital ID card will eventually support integrated healthcare services between both countries, allowing medical professionals access to patients’ records in emergencies.
“God forbids that you get sick in one of the countries, eventually the card, when used in a medical facility, will be able to pull up all your medical records and allow that doctor in that jurisdiction to have access to your medical records,” the head of state explained.
Guyana and Barbados are working to link their financial systems digitally to offer more opportunities for their citizens.
“I would say that we are now advancing talks on how we would digitally connect our financial systems in a much stronger way, creating financial opportunities, business opportunities, commerce opportunities for both citizens of Barbados and Guyana,” president Ali said.
Guyana and Barbados reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional integration, modernising governance systems and creating new opportunities for Caribbean citizens through digital innovation.
Prime Minister Mottley praised the collaboration between the two governments and commended minister of public service, government efficiency and implementation Zulfikar Ally and the technical teams for rapidly delivering the initiative.
“Yesterday, when I landed at Ogle Airport in Georgetown, and minister Zulfikar Ally was with me, I thanked him and my own minister of innovation, science and technology, but also gave a hand to their teams because both of them had to work with multiple partners across both Barbados and Guyana, as well as the regional security architecture,” prime minister Mottley stated.
Barbados’ prime minister highlighted that the system was completed in less than six weeks and stressed that the initiative was designed to directly benefit ordinary citizens.
“It endures not to the benefit of the cabinet of Guyana or the cabinet of Barbados, not to the benefit of the private sector of Guyana or the private sector of Barbados, but it is now the benefit of each and every citizen.” The Barbadian prime minister added. “The historic ties between Guyana and Barbados, and the initiatives represent the continuation of decades of Caribbean cooperation. And even if a person does not have a passport but has a digital ID card, they can now travel between the two countries. And we say simply to you, we’ve only just begun,” Mottley declared.
The prime minister further announced plans for the proposed Trident Arrow Investment Fund, which will allow ordinary Guyanese and Barbadians to collectively invest in infrastructure, technology and agri-processing projects.
“We believe that this is the only way we can allow our citizens to become owners in the land of their birth rather than tenants for the period of their lifetime,” prime minister Mottley stated.