Latest update March 26th, 2026 7:55 AM
Guyana, Suriname still to finalise financing for Corentyne River Bridge project
(Kaieteur News) – Vice President (VP), Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday stated that the governments of Guyana and Suriname are still to finalise an agreement on financing for the much-anticipated Corentyne River Bridge project.
Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo
When asked by the media for an update on the project, Jagdeo said the construction of the bridge remains a priority for both countries.
“The Corentyne River bridge that is a collaborative project with Suriname… so it will move at the pace at which we can reach an agreement on funding and all of that… It’s not like how we can approach other matters unilaterally, like in Guyana’s case, we have to build the Berbice Bridge, we went out to tender, we are now negotiating with the contractors, we would have to find the money so we go out and raise our money on our own, we don’t have to wait on a second party to do that,” Jagdeo told reporters at his weekly press conference held at Freedom House.
“With Suriname, it has implication for border matters, they have to raise their share of the resources,” he added.
Earlier this week, Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill told attendees at the International Business Conference (IBC) that as soon as an agreement on the financing is reached with the Surinamese, construction will begin.
“The Corentyne River bridge… most Surinamese in the Guyana – Suriname Chambers interested in this. Let me put every heart at ease, the procurement stage of the Corentyne River bridge is completed, there is an identified preferred contractor that has emerged since the end of the evaluation stages,” he related.
The Guyana Government had set aside GYD$5 billion in the 2025 budget toward the bridge’s construction.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd and Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and Cooperation of the Republic of Suriname, Mr. Melvin W. J. Bouva (left), during a recent engagement.
Kaieteur News had reported that the construction of the Bridge between the two countries will be executed by China Road and Bridge Corporation. China Road and Bridge Corporation was among three bidders that submitted proposals to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office last year.
According to media reports, the governments of Guyana and Suriname had requested funding from China for the project and were awaiting approval.
The Corentyne River bridge, once completed, will span approximately 1,100 metres in length with 22 spans measuring 50 metres each. The sub-structure is expected to withstand minor vessel impact. The carriageway is expected to span around 10.05 metres, accommodating two lanes under regular conditions and three lanes during emergencies or controlled situations.
Chairman of the Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce (SGCC), Dr. Vishnu Doerga in May 2025 said that the construction of the bridge is a necessity and not luxury. Doerga stated that the Corentyne River Bridge will be the spine of a new trade corridor reducing transportation costs, accelerating business and encouraging cross-border investment.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd received a courtesy call, from Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and Cooperation of the Republic of Suriname, Mr. Melvin W. J. Bouva, and Minister of Economic Affairs, Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation of the Republic of Suriname, Mr. Andrew Baasaroner where they held discussions on the cooperation matters.
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