Suriname President’s 2nd State visit: Oil and gas, agriculture on agenda as visit begins today

Suriname’s President Chandrikapersad Santokhi arrives in Guyana today for his second official visit and according to President Dr Irfaan Ali, the visit is a continuation of collaborative efforts between the two South American nations.
This State-visit is as a result of an invitation extended by President Ali. It follows President Ali’s visit to the Republic of Suriname in November 2020, during which the two Heads of State launched the Guyana-Suriname Strategic Dialogue and Cooperation Platform (SDCP).

President Santokhi arrives today and will depart on Friday.
Speaking on the side lines of an event on Monday, President Ali told reporters that the visit is an important one in advancing collaborative agreements between the two countries.
“Suriname is also going be a big player in the oil and gas sector. The two countries both have small populations, similar challenges, similar opportunities ahead. So, we have to see how we can merge our thinking and ensure the policies reflect that integrated approach we want to bring betterment for all the people of the two countries,” he said.
When asked about some of the key areas up for discussion, the President said that it includes transportation, trade, security, agriculture, oil and gas and many other transformational areas. He added that they would also be focused on removing barriers for the development of both nations.
President Santokhi will be accompanied by First Lady, Mellisa K Santokhi-Seenacherry, and a high-level delegation during this week’s visit. This includes: Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation Minister, Ambassador Albert R Ramdin; Natural Resources Minister, David Abiamofo; Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Minister, Parmanand Sewdien; Public Works Minister, Riad Nurmohamed; Transport, Communication and Tourism Minister, Albert E Jubithana; representatives of the State Oil Company of Suriname and members of the Private Sector out of Paramaribo.
The Surinamese President made his first visit to Guyana for the inauguration of President Ali back in August 2020 – following the tumultuous five-month long election process. During that visit, the two Presidents engaged in a series of meetings with stakeholders on a number of issues. In fact, the Guyanese and Surinamese Presidents met with members of the Guyanese Private Sector and diplomatic community during which business and commerce opportunities, among other mutual areas of benefit, were discussed.
As newcomers in the oil and gas sector, the two countries are looking to tap into each other’s Private Sectors to peddle sustainable development and further strengthening bilateral ties.
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.
Meanwhile, during President Ali’s reciprocal visit to Paramaribo last November, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to facilitate the joint bridging of the Corentyne River.
Both Presidents had underscored the critical role that a bridge across the Corentyne River could play in advancing cooperation and joint activities and ventures in all the areas mentioned.
It was reported last month that 38 bids were received and jointly reviewed by the two countries and eight bidders were eventually shortlisted.
Suriname news agency Waterkant had reported these bidders as: China Road and Bridge Corporation (China), EGIS (France), Exp Services Inc, Pedelta, Arcadis, CEMCO (Canada, Spain, Netherlands, Guyana), FIGG/Sunecon/SRKN’gineering & Associates/E&A Consultans/P-ALL Consultants/Environmental Management Consultant (United States of America), Politecnica and Rina JV/ILACO/SRKN’gineering & Associates (Italy, Suriname, Guyana), SYSTRA International Bridge Technologies Inc/AP&G Consultancy Suriname NV/Delta Marine Consultants/Deltares (Dubai, Suriname, Netherlands),TYPSA/Leonard, Andra und Partner GmbH/FIRM (Spain, Germany, Suriname) and WSP Caribbean Ltd (Trinidad). (G2)