Guyana, Suriname Private Sectors to set up joint business council

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) of Guyana and the Suriname Trade and Industry Association (VSB) have come to an agreement of establishing a Guyana-Suriname Private Sector Business Council, which will see the two entities strengthening the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
This comes after it was recognised that both Head of State, Dr Irfaan Ali and President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi showed intentions of strengthening the bilateral relationship between Suriname and Guyana, with the private sector acting as the engine for growth and development in both countries.
It was decided that the ideal way of developing the two countries is by working towards a single market through collaborative business relations while fulfilling developmental agenda.
Moreover, the joint sector will consist of key representatives of the private sector that are dedicated to the strengthening of economic ties and initiatives regarding the shared interests and creation of the envisioned single market and economy.
Meanwhile, Dr Irfaan Ali on Thursday had urged the private sector in both Guyana and Suriname to think big and be bold and aggressive in going after the opportunities on the horizon.
President Ali had said at the time that Guyana and Suriname must not compete but complement each other as they embark on this new development trajectory.
As newcomers in the oil and gas sector, the two countries are looking to tap into each other’s private sector to push sustainable development and further strengthen bilateral ties.
He assured that the private sector would be involved in all initiatives either independently or through public-private partnerships.
President Santokhi and a high-level team arrived in Guyana on Tuesday afternoon for his second official visit since taking office last year.
During the four-day visit of the Surinamese President and his high-level delegation, the launch of the Guyana-Suriname Business Council was carried out on Thursday, in the interest of further advancing business relations among the two countries.
The two countries have always enjoyed excellent people-to-people and business relations; hence the initiative is expected to birth a vibrant and improved level of partnership and cooperation between Guyana and Suriname.