February 5 2025
During his virtual address at the second edition of the International Business Conference, President Dr. Irfaan Ali emphasized the significant opportunity for collaboration between Guyana and Suriname in fostering sustainable regional development.
With the development of a major offshore oil field in Suriname set to begin production in 2028, the president noted that partnerships between the neighboring CARICOM countries could lead to mutual benefits, particularly in energy and agriculture.
President Ali pointed out that both nations share geographical proximity and abundant natural resources, especially in energy, and that Guyana has been actively advocating for the creation of an energy corridor involving Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and Brazil.
Such an initiative, according to the president, could transform the region’s energy security and reduce its dependency on external markets.
In addition to energy, President Ali highlighted the vast arable lands in both Guyana and Suriname, which present a unique opportunity to revolutionize agriculture.
He proposed that the two countries could become the breadbasket of the region, addressing food insecurity and reducing the reliance on costly food imports.
President Ali also reiterated that the potential for these goals to be realized is at hand, given the newfound resources of the countries.
He stressed the importance of collaboration and pooling resources to unlock the full potential of their natural resources, create jobs, and ensure a resilient future for the region.
The president concluded by outlining five important principles for Suriname’s path to prosperity: maintaining democratic values, acting early, diversifying the economy, planning for future generations, and strengthening collective efforts.
He urged that the vision of a prosperous Suriname should guide their actions, informed by democracy, inclusivity, and sustainability.