Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance Dr Ashni Singh described Suriname’s reported decision to impose charges on the Corentyne River as “unfortunate and most regrettable,” warning it could affect cross-border trade and movement between the two countries.
Speaking with Ignite News during a recent visit to Region Six, Singh said the matter is being addressed through diplomatic channels at the highest levels of engagement. He said the development was disappointing and reaffirmed efforts to resolve the issue.
“We are very disappointed at this latest development, but I will tell you that at the highest level of our government, His Excellency the President’s level, we are committed to working very closely with all parties involved, with a view to resolving this matter,” he stated.
Singh said residents in Berbice could be directly affected, noting that cross-border trade and movement are central to daily economic activity in the region, and warned the move could strain longstanding relations between the two countries.
“We will continue to engage through the usual bilateral and diplomatic channels, with a view to resolving this matter, because the truth is that it is not in anybody’s interest, it is not in Guyana’s interest and it is not in Suriname’s interest, it is not in anybody’s interest to take any actions that would stymie or slow down trade and relations between Guyana and Suriname. I’ve always said that Guyana and Suriname are the natural extension of each other’s economic space,” Singh said.
He said the aim is to ensure seamless movement for businesspersons, farmers and contractors across the border, adding that regional integration depends on closer economic cooperation.
“And that is what regional integration is all about, and that is what economic cooperation is all about,” he said, while further adding “and that is what good neighbours do, create opportunities for our populations to live more closely and to do business in a more integrated way. And that’s what we want to achieve. That’s why we have been speaking about building a bridge across the Corentyne River to unlock economic opportunities,” he remarked, while citing his disappointment over the recent action.
President Dr Irfaan Ali has said the matter is receiving high-level attention, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs fully engaged.
