NIEUW NICKERIE – SURINAME: Suriname’s President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons and Guyana’s recently re-elected President Irfaan Ali met on September 13 in Nieuw Nickerie, Suriname, to strengthen bilateral ties and advance cooperation in key areas, with oil and gas and the Corantijn River bridge at the center of discussions.
In a joint statement following a day of high-level meetings, the leaders highlighted the importance of energy security and pledged to deepen collaboration across the sector.
President Ali said, “We are committed to exploring joint ventures, exchanging knowledge and technologies and looking at investment opportunities in the energy ecosystem for both our countries to advance collectively and for our private sectors to also advance collectively.”
Ali stated that cooperation is not limited to crude oil, stressing that natural gas, renewable energy, and regional grid interconnection are also central to the two countries’ long-term vision. “Energy security is an important pillar of our growth and development for both countries … not only in oil, but gas development, renewable energy and in the interconnection of our grid across the region.”
That emphasis comes as Suriname advances appraisal of significant gas discoveries offshore Blocks 52 and 63. At the same time, Guyana pushes ahead with its Gas-to-Energy project at Wales, designed to lower electricity costs and expand industrial capacity.
Both leaders emphasized the role of the private sector in driving growth. Ali: “Both Madam President and I are committed to encouraging the private sector of Suriname and Guyana to maximize business investment opportunities on both sides, including the formation of joint ventures to look at joint possibilities in the business environment, merging of capital and integration, the greater integration of our economies and our private sector.”
Infrastructure was highlighted as a key enabler of these ambitions. The two presidents reasserted their commitment to the Corentyne River bridge, calling it a transformative project for trade, tourism and connectivity.
“Key to all of this is the integration of our infrastructure, and that is why we had talks also on the bridge across the Corentyne River. Both of us… expressed commitment from both governments in having this signature project completed,” the Guyanese leader said.
As Suriname embarks on major offshore oil development and Guyana continues to expand production, both governments are signaling that closer alignment will shape the Guiana Basin’s future.
