On Wednesday, Bahamas’s Foreign Minister Fredrick Mitchell and his counterpart from Benin Olushegun Adjadi Bakari signed a communiqué formalising diplomatic relations.

The development is expected to further ease the travel process and increase both countries’ economies.

In line with the agreement, both states also have abolished visa requirements for travelers holding any kind of passport. The Bahamas becomes the seventh Caribbean Community country to establish ties with Benin, the North Africa Post report stated.

According to Bahamas’s Foreign Ministry, the decision would be key to achieving closer cooperation and collaboration between these two countries.

Benin passport holders are required to apply for a visa while planning to visit the Bahamas for tourism or business purposes. Visas were also required for Bahamas passport holders planning to travel to Benin for the same purposes.