–President Santokhi affirms

GUYANA and Suriname’s relationship is anticipated to grow stronger, as Suriname’s President, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, has underscored that there is great potential for co-operation in many areas between the two nations.

With Guyana and Suriname both being leaders in biodiversity and other areas, President Santokhi, during the launch of the Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce at the Pegasus Corporate Centre on Saturday, called for the level of interest and investments to be taken to the next level.

The Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce Inc., in particular, is a notable representation of the bilateral business relationships between Suriname and Guyana.

Its goals are to promote investment opportunities, foster strong partnerships, and facilitate collaboration in order to strengthen investment relationships, drive economic growth, and advance the prosperity of Suriname and Guyana.

During his feature address, the Surinamese President said: “There are great opportunities for intensive and increased collaborations between the business communities in Suriname and Guyana.”

Speaking more on the Chamber of Commerce itself, which was long overdue, the Surinamese Head of State related that it is a platform that will aid in facilitating the ease of doing business between the two neighbours.

Although enhancing trade and connectivity between Guyana and Suriname, through the construction of a bridge across the Corentyne River, has been an idea since 2010, plans to actualise this vision are far ahead today than ever before.

According to President Santokhi, he is excited to “set the first building block” for the Corentyne River Bridge with President, Dr Irfaan Ali, who he referred to as his “brother.”

Notably, during Guyana’s Ministry of Public Works’ 2023 end-of-year press conference, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, said that the evaluation of bids for the construction of the Corentyne River Bridge has been completed.

A joint executive decision on modality and financing is being examined by the governments of Guyana and Suriname, which include the respective foreign affairs, finance, and public works ministers.

“Once that evaluation report would have been agreed, and the way forward declared by that joint team, the two presidents would then announce the start of the work on the Corentyne River Bridge,” Minister Edghill had related.

The Corentyne River Bridge will facilitate the movement of goods to Suriname, allowing farmers to transport their produce with ease.

The proposed bridge will stretch 1,100 metres, with 22 spans each measuring 50 metres in length.

It will be constructed through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, and according to the Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Maintain model (DBFOM). Under this model, the successful contractor or joint venture will be responsible for the final design, construction, financing, operation, and maintenance of the bridge.

MORE PARTNERSHIPS

While underscoring how deep the relationship between Guyana and Suriname transcends, Guyana’s Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance and Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh, during the launch, while delivering remarks, lauded the growing partnerships being explored.

“The reality is that businesspeople, entrepreneurs on both sides of the Corentyne River have been pursuing business opportunities where they exist and converting them into real opportunities to do business. But perhaps it is timing now not to leave this to grow organically. Perhaps it is timely now, given where over two countries are economically…,” he said, adding that the time is ripe to now put in place a formal mechanism like the chamber to facilitate expanded and diverse business and commercial opportunities.

The Minister then went on to say: “But we want, equally, this close bilateral relationship that we enjoy from the official level is close geographic proximity that we enjoy that is so evident and obvious, we want those relationships to be translated into real and demonstrated business and commercial relations, and this chamber serves for perpetually that very important objective.”