THE governments of Guyana and Suriname will soon engage in further discussions regarding the financing, technical aspects and operational modalities of the bridge that will be built across the Corentyne River to link the two countries.

According to a joint statement from Guyana’s Head of State, Dr. Irfaan Ali and his Surinamese counterpart Chandrikapersad Santokhi, the two met on Saturday at Soesdyke and reaffirmed the importance of a fixed connection between the two nations to create greater South American connectivity.

This, the statement explained, is part of the overall objective of regional integration and trilateral co-operation between Suriname, Guyana and Brazil.

“Following this process of internal and bilateral consultations between Guyana and Suriname and the recommendations received, careful consideration was given to the proposed way forward, taking into account political, domestic and international elements as well,” the joint statement read.

Their respective Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance and Public Works, who over the past months have been engaged in intensive consultations regarding the technical and financial aspects of the project, accompanied both Head of States.

During discussions, President Ali and Santokhi acknowledged the importance of the historical and friendly relations between the peoples and governments of both countries.

It was further recognised that at the current time, both countries stand on the verge of becoming major players in terms of energy and food security in this region.

“The building of the fixed connection between the two neighboring nations will undoubtedly enhance the flow of people, strengthen agricultural co-operation, facilitate trade and investment and promote tourism, thereby adding in a diversified way to the economic growth that is expected to provide sustainable prosperity to both the Surinamese and Guyanese populations,” the statement said.

It added that the respective teams where instructed to enter the next stage of the project by engaging in discussions in relation to terms of pricing, technical aspects, financing and operational modalities with the shared objective of optimising on affordability and concessionality.

It was outlined that experts of both countries will jointly work towards a political and legal framework, starting with the supervisory tendering process, and the drafting of an agreement regarding the ultimate board that will jointly manage the bridge.

Further, clear timelines for the finalisation of these recommendations have been set.

The ministerial teams of three on each side will continue their work to lead these negotiations and data gathering, as well as monitor the progress and report regularly to the Heads of State of both countries.

Meanwhile the Heads of State have agreed to convene the Strategic Dialogue and Co-operation Platform (SDCP) in early May 2024 to broaden the consultations to include other pending relevant areas of strategic importance on the agenda between the two countries.