Guyana - Suriname Trade Mission is an important step – President

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Guyana - Suriname Trade Mission is an important step – President

Written by Gina Webmasters, Published in News, Georgetown, GINA, January 15, 2015, Source - GINA

President Donald Ramotar has welcomed the high-level Suriname Trade Mission to Guyana, describing it as an important step, not only for business, but for the integration of the two nations.

Addressing members of the local and Surinamese private sectors, at a welcoming reception at the Princess Hotel this evening, the president said that some have often expressed disappointment with the pace of integration, but stated that it not just the job of governments, rather it will be achieved when real links are forged in the economy.

The development of the two Caricom neighbours which share a border, he added is important to “developing the quality of life for our people”. The private sectors of both nations can build not only partnerships, but also new links and expand their businesses and strengthen them.

The president expressed the hope that more initiatives such as the trade mission could occur across the region. The fact that both countries have large expanses of land and natural resources, and have achieved a measure of food security, could be used to their advantage, he explained.

Surinamese Minister of Trade, Don Tosendjojo, President Donald Ramotar and Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett at the welcoming reception held at the Princess Hotel

It was noted that Caricom’s annual bill estimated food import bill of US$4 billion is one area that could see mutual cooperation. He said that during his recent trip to Cuba for the Caricom -Cuba Summit, this estimate was mentioned to President Raul Castro. “I mentioned that if you add Cuba it would be US$5 billion and President Raul Castro said ‘No, put two’ making it US$6 billion that we import in food”.

This is but one area where Guyana and Suriname could pool their resources to impact on the region as a whole.

A suggestion was also made by President Ramotar for some of the trade regimes to be unified, for example to cut down on smuggling and maximise the benefits for the people of both countries. This, he said, could be done for resources such as gold which is non- renewable.

In closing, he indicated that the initiative was indeed welcomed by government and expressed the hope that it would grow from strength to strength.

President Donald Ramotar delivering brief remarks at the welcoming reception

Surinamese Minister of Trade, Don Tosendjojo addressing stakeholders at the welcoming reception held at the Princess Hotel

Former Member

All eyes on Region’s multi-billion-dollar food import bill – as Guyana/Suriname talk business at Trade Summit

January 16, 2015, Source - Guyana Chronicle

Guyana’s President Donald Ramotar and head of the Surinamese delegation to the Summit, Trade Minister, Mr Don Tosendjojo, engage each other at last evening’s reception at the do at the Princess Hotel (Photo by Adrian Narine)

PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar last evening hosted a 40-strong Surinamese business delegation here in Guyana for the first ever ‘Trade Mission’ meant to bolster ties between the two countries.

President Donald Ramotar addressing guests at last night’s welcoming reception at the Princess Hotel (Photos by Adrian Narine)

And seizing the moment, he made the point that while Caribbean integration is not necessarily the success story it ought to be as yet, the situation can be changed through greater links between CARICOM countries.

The President also used the opportunity to stress that greater government-to-government relations makes for better private sector relations.

“We are leaders,” he said. “And not only do we belong to CARICOM, but we are neighbours; and the development of our countries is extremely important to give a higher quality of life to our people.”

Members of the Surinamese delegtation respond to a query from a potential customer

Warming to the topic, President Ramotar said: “We can use the synergies of the private sector, but if countries are to create partnerships, we need to create new links and expand where we are limited in expanding business in making them much bigger and stronger.”

The two countries, he said, have a lot to contribute in terms of their contributions to the rest of the region. He also used the opportunity to speak to the opportunities that exist within the current threat of food security.

According to the President, a four-billion-dollar opportunity presents itself each year when CARICOM decides to import its produce. “US$4B is not small money,” President Ramotar said, adding that the issue of the regions enormous import bill was raised as recent as the Fifth CARICOM/Cuba Summit in early December in Havana.

“I mentioned that if you add Cuba, it would be US$5 billion. And President Raul Castro said, ‘No! Put two!’ Making it US$6 billion that we import in food.”

The President hosted last evening’s reception at the Princess Hotel, which saw in attendance Housing Minister, Irfaan Ali; Surinamese Trade Minister, Don Tosendjojo, as well as Guyanese Foreign Trade Minister, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett.

President Ramotar was adamant that there needs to be some form of commonality between the two countries in order to cut down on the cross-border smuggling.

Scenes from last night’s reception at the Princess Hotel…

Representatives of Guyana’s Beharry Group

of Companies displaying some of their products

As is the norm on such an august occasion,

a cultural presentation is a must

Guyana’s Foreign Minister, Ms Carolyn

Rodrigues-Birkett having a brief word

with Suriname Trade Minister, Mr Don Tosendjojo

1/16/1511:12 AM

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Guyana - Suriname Trade Mission is an important step – President

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