Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali and his Surinamese counterpart, Dr. Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, will meet in Nickerie on Saturday to discuss several matters of mutual interest.
Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud confirmed the meeting and said a “range of bilateral cooperation matters” will be discussed. Those matters include the construction of the Corentyne River Bridge, energy cooperation and fishing licenses for Guyanese fisherfolk.
“It’s a very important meeting,” Persaud told the News Room.
He added, “I think it’s important that we allow the discussions to flow tomorrow and we await the outcomes.”
Earlier this week, President Ali announced that he would be meeting with Dr. Geerlings- Simons. Hours before that announcement, President Ali engaged Suriname’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Melvin Bouva, in Georgetown. A release from the Office of the President noted that President Ali and Minister Bouva spoke about efforts to advance development initiatives between the two countries.
The Corentyne River Bridge is seen as a critical infrastructure project aimed at strengthening connectivity between Guyana and Suriname, while also advancing broader regional integration with Brazil.
Both Presidents Irfaan Ali of Guyana and Suriname’s former President, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, repeatedly emphasised the importance of the bridge, noting how it will enhance the flow of people, facilitate trade, strengthen agricultural cooperation, and boost tourism and investment in the region.
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