–says priorities align with private-sector agenda

THE Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce (SGCC) has welcomed the joint statement issued following the September 13 meeting in Nieuw Nickerie between Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, President of the Republic of Suriname, and Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.

According to the joint statement: “The two Heads of State reaffirmed the strong bonds of friendship and co-operation that exist between Suriname and Guyana, rooted in their shared values and aspirations, cultural ties, and geographic proximity.”

The SGCC congratulated both Presidents for taking this bold, forward-looking step to deepen co-operation across key areas, including strengthened economic ties and ease of doing business, energy security (oil & gas, renewables, and interconnection); enhanced connectivity through the Corantijn/Corentyne Bridge, agriculture and fisheries collaboration; the Canawaima Ferry Service and structured follow through via the Strategic Dialogue and Cooperation Platform (SDCP).

“These are the exact priority areas identified by our members through SGCC consultations, and ones the chamber has consistently championed in its advocacy. The SGCC stands ready to support both governments in advancing these priorities and translating them into broad-based prosperity for the peoples of Suriname and Guyana,” the chamber said.

These priorities will be further integrated into SGCC programming and platforms, including the International Business Conference (IBC) Guyana 2025, (slated for October 14-16 in Guyana, and in October, 2026, in Suriname), to ensure sustained public-private dialogue and tangible outcomes for businesses on both sides of the border.

The SGCC commended and echoed the Presidents’ dedication to “strengthening the bilateral partnership between Suriname and Guyana and to working together in the interest of their peoples and the wider Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and South America).”