– design already taking shape
THE bridging of the Corentyne River, which undertaking will physically link Guyana and its eastern neighbour, Suriname, remains a key area of focus for the Governments of both countries.
And according to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, plans are well underway, in that engineers are presently working on what the bridge will look like in terms of design.Construction will be funded by the Chinese Government, Ms Rodrigues-Birkett told the media Monday. “Guyana, at the request of Suriname, has informed the Chinese Government that we are supportive of the bridge across the Corentyne River,” she said.
The Guyana Government has also sent “No Objection” letters to the Foreign Ministries of Suriname and China in support of the construction of the bridge.
In 2010, then President, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo and his Surinamese counterpart, Mr. Desi Bouterse signed an accord for the undertaking of a feasibility study on bridging the Corentyne River, with both countries pledging to pursue a closer working relationship.
The bridge across the Corentyne River has been identified as one of the projects that would further physically integrate the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), of which Guyana is a member.
During a meeting in Suriname in 2012, Guyana’s President Donald Ramotar and Suriname’s President Bouterse had agreed to move to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to seek joint financing for construction of the bridge.
At that meet, the two Heads reiterated the significance of building the structure, noting that it would considerably enhance trade and economic relations and cultural exchanges between the peoples of the two nations.