THE Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCCI) is gearing for participation in the large annual Trade Fair in Suriname later this year, as part of a programme of increased collaboration with their Surinamese counterparts for the benefit of  citizens and the business communities in both countries.

This was disclosed during a recent function held by the UCCCI at which the Ambassador of the Republic of Suriname to the Republic of Guyana, Her Excellency Manorma Soeknandan  was an honoured guest and  speaker.

The occasion was  the UCCCI’s Second Annual Appreciation Dinner at the Countryside Restaurant in Springlands, Corentyne.

During her address  to the assembled Corentyne businessmen, Ambassador Soeknandan spoke on relations between  Nickerie and Berbice,  including both the  history and the future of the two communities.

She urged the  businessmen to diversify and look for opportunities in cooperation with their counterparts  in Nickerie, stressing that such initiatives would allow  businesses on both sides of the border to grow beyond the limited reach of the very common sole proprietorships which are currently in abundance on both sides.

She identified several issues which need to be addressed  to make such initiatives  possible, including closer collaboration between educational institutions so as to remove the language barrier between the two communities and optimize the use of the Canawaima Ferry Service,
among others.

President of  the UCCCI, Mr.  Vishnu Doerga, agreed that there were several largely untapped advantages of being a border town with Suriname and alluded to the potentially enormous beneficial possibilities that can arise  when all the avenues for trade, tourism and industry  within the two communities are optimized.

“The citizens and business communities of both bordering regions are the primary beneficiaries of any positive developments, “ he said, adding: “I am sure that our Chamber is represented at the different levels and with the cooperation of our neighbours, represented by Her Excellency,
the Ambassador, will be able to improve on and create new avenues for development between our two countries.”

Doerga also disclosed that the Chamber’s interest in the upcoming Surinamese Trade
Fair is one such avenue. He said  the Chamber is looking forward to collaborating with the Ambassador  in ensuring that all arrangements are made to have a very large contingent of Upper Corentyne businesspeople  attend and even participate in it  in November.

The function, at the Countryside Restaurant,  was chaired by UCCCI Executive
Member Mr. Ganesh Gangadin, during which the  instrumental versions of both the Guyanese and Surinamese National Anthems were played.

Assistant Secretary, Sachie Ramnauth, welcomed the members of the head table, special invitees, members of the Chamber and the Ambassador, while the Secretary of the Chamber, Philip Kowlessar, introduced the guest speaker. During the programme,  Certificates of Appreciation were awarded to businessman Ahmad Sultan Rozan for his valuable contributions to the
community, and Magistrate Krishendat Persaud for his long service to the Chamber.

These certificates  were presented  by the Surinamese  Ambassador.
Executive member Imran Badruddin, Manager of Demerara Bank Ltd, gave the Vote of Thanks.