Guyana, Suriname seek IDB funding to bridge Corentyne River

Feb 18, 2012 News

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-special committee to tackle cross-border crime

-Suriname offers help in oil search

Guyana and Suriname may move to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to

seek joint financing for a bridge that will join the two countries via the Corentyne River.
The announcement was made in a joint statement by the two neighbours following a one day visit by President Donald Ramotar yesterday to Suriname.
A special border security committee is also to be established to facilitate the easy sharing of information.
It will be the first overseas trip for the Head of State since his election to the Presidency in early December.
During the visit yesterday, Ramotar met with Suriname’s President, Desi Bouterse and an agreement was reached on a number of areas for closer ties between the two countries.
“The two Presidents reiterated the importance of the construction of the bridge across the Corentyne River which would considerably enhance trade and economic relations as well as cultural exchanges between the peoples of the two countries. They decided on a joint approach towards the IDB for the purpose of identifying modalities for financing,” the joint statement said last evening.
With CGX Resources Inc., an oil exploration company announced that it started drilling in the Corentyne concession earlier this week, the issue of natural resources also came up for discussion in the meeting with Suriname likely to lend technical assistance to Guyana.
“Both Presidents underscored the vast potential for cooperation in the field of industrial development, especially in the exploration and exploitation of the available natural resources. The potential for joint exploitation of mineral resources was highlighted as well as the need for increased technical cooperation at all levels between the two countries.”
Specifically, the statement said that the Heads of State also agreed to continue their efforts towards intensified cooperation and sharing of knowledge, know-how and information in the field of petroleum exploration and production.
Border Committee
Meanwhile, the cross border crime incidences, inclusive of piracy acts, were also raised.
It was agreed that recommendations made by the two countries’ security agencies during the First Presidential Security and

Intelligence Exchange Meeting in April last year will be implemented. A second round of consultations is scheduled to be convened in Paramaribo next month.
There have been several reported incidents of drug and gun smuggling, contraband and robberies with criminals crossing the Corentyne borders easily.
“They (the Presidents) agreed to establish a Border Security Committee as a direct mechanism for information sharing and monitoring, so as to deal with this matter in all its aspects.”
Regarding the acts of piracy which has been a major bugbear for years now, the two countries have again committed to work collaboratively to address this “phenomenon which is posing a challenge for the fishing industries of both countries. They instructed their institutions dealing with fisheries to adopt measures regarding security requirements for fishing vessels and fishermen.”
Forestry collaboration
In the areas of food security, the Ministry of Agriculture and their counterparts in Suriname are to meet in one month to develop a common agriculture strategy, aimed at making the two countries the major food suppliers within the region.
Regionally, the two Presidents discussed the initiative of Suriname to encourage CARICOM to mobilize resources – natural, financial and human- to promote regional development.
“The Guyanese Head of State congratulated President Bouterse for conceptualizing and promoting this proposal and supported the view that it has the potential to provide a sustainable base for the generation of funds aimed at financing national development initiatives within the region.”
In discussing the issue of climate change, both Presidents highlighted the impact, which the recent unusually high levels of rainfall have had on their countries, especially in the agricultural sector. “They called for a concerted approach at the global level to deal with serious threats posed by climate change. In this regard they urged the international community to increase their efforts for the successful outcome of the Rio+ 20 Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, next June. The Presidents instructed their respective Foreign Ministers to consult each other on all matters related to the issue of climate change and the upcoming Rio+ 20 Conference.”
The two countries will also examine the possibility of working together using their forests to lobby for financial incentives.

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