President Dr. Irfaan Ali has raised concerns over reports that authorities in Suriname have instituted charges for the use of the Corentyne River, warning that the development could negatively impact economic activity and strain longstanding bilateral arrangements between the two countries.
In a statement on his official Facebook page, the Head of State disclosed that the Government of Guyana has formally lodged a protest with Surinamese authorities and is awaiting a response.
“It has been brought to my attention that the authorities in the Republic of Suriname have instituted charges for the use of the Corentyne River, particularly affecting timber and quarry operators,” President Ali said, noting that the reports “represent a troubling development that has implications for economic activities and the long-standing arrangements between Guyana and Suriname.”
The President emphasised that Guyana has approached the issue through diplomatic channels, underscoring the importance of maintaining strong bilateral ties.
“We have raised our concerns in the spirit of dialogue and mutual respect, mindful of the importance of preserving the cooperative and friendly relations between our countries,” he stated.
President Ali further cautioned that such measures could create unnecessary obstacles for businesses and disrupt trade flows between the neighbouring states.
“Measures of this nature risk creating unnecessary barriers to commerce and could undermine the confidence of businesses that rely on predictable and fair operating conditions,” he said.
Highlighting Guyana’s longstanding openness to regional investors, the President pointed out that Surinamese businesses have historically operated within Guyana without discrimination.
“I wish to remind the Government of Suriname that Surinamese businesses and investors have long benefited from opportunities within our economy, where they have operated without discrimination or undue restriction,” he noted.
The Guyanese leader also stressed the importance of reciprocity in maintaining balanced relations, urging Suriname to revisit the reported charges.
“Reciprocity remains a fundamental principle underpinning our relationship. We therefore expect that the Surinamese authorities will reconsider and ultimately desist from any actions that may be perceived as arbitrary or detrimental to the shared objective of deepening cooperation,” President Ali said.
He added that such corrective steps are necessary to ensure that relations between the two countries continue to be guided by “mutual respect and good neighbourliness.”
The issue is expected to be closely monitored, particularly by stakeholders in the timber and quarry sectors, as both governments engage on the matter.
