Members of the business communities of Suriname and Guyana convened in a virtual meeting on Aug. 30. The primary objective of this meeting was to lay the groundwork for the establishment of the Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce (SGCC) on Guyanese soil.
The meeting was inaugurated by Henna Soerdjoesing, the Director of International Business at Suriname’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Business, and International Cooperation. Soerdjoesing emphasized the pivotal role of entrepreneurs in deepening the economic partnership between the two countries.
Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin, addressing the gathering, underscored the critical importance of cooperation across various domains, particularly in the business sector. He said the government fully supports this initiative, which comes at an opportune moment amidst a backdrop of numerous developments including oil and prospects for entrepreneurs.
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Minister Ramdin further highlighted the commitment of both nations to a strategic partnership and stressed the need for dialogue, a business-oriented approach, and a constructive attitude in resolving any cooperation-related challenges. He commented, “Given the similarities in the historical past of both countries and the geographical location, this initiative is an extremely suitable basis for cooperation with each other.”
A presentation about the SGCC will be made to both presidents during the Strategic Dialogue Cooperative Platform (SDCP) scheduled for October 2023 in Suriname.
Guyana’s Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud, echoed Minister Ramdin’s sentiments and reiterated the full support of the Guyanese government for this endeavor.
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Liselle Blankendal, the Ambassador of Suriname in Guyana, highlighted the embassy’s multifaceted role in promoting bilateral relations. She stressed that this role extends beyond political diplomacy to include facilitating foreign direct investment and fostering economic diplomacy. Blankendal asserted, “The establishment of a Chamber of Commerce between Suriname and Guyana will give companies in both countries the opportunity to enter into potential partnerships and investments, to cooperate, to exchange ideas and information, to find solutions to challenges and to some extent to help diversify mutual economies.”
Vishnu Doerga of Action Invest Caribbean outlined the step-by-step plan for the establishment of the Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce. A crucial milestone will be the formation of a management committee in the first week of September, comprising representatives from both countries, tasked with preparing and launching the chamber. The target launch date for the SGCC is set for late November, coinciding with the official diplomatic relations established between Suriname and Guyana on November 24, 1975. This initiative promises to further cement the bond between these neighbouring nations and create new opportunities for economic growth and cooperation.
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Guyana and Suriname share a dynamic relationship bolstered by common interests, including a significant focus on oil development. These neighbouring South American nations govern the Guiana-Suriname Basin, an oil-rich region holding immense potential. Both countries have made strides promoting exploration for oil, with a view of fostering economic growth, and strengthening their regional influence.
