GCCI condemns Suriname’s attempts to stymie development in Berbice

See full statement below on Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry condemning Suriname’s attempts to stymie development in Berbice, and lack of good faith and reciprocity:

Guyana cannot continue to act in good faith and pursue infrastructural development that will benefit Suriname, even as our Dutch neighbour enforces measures geared towards stymieing the development of Berbice. The recent unilateral imposition of exorbitant fees for the use of shared waterways is a slap in the face of Guyana’s continued attempts to foster bilateral trade relations.

While these imposed fees are a new development, it brings to the fore the longstanding challenges experienced by Guyana as a result of Suriname’s lack of good faith and direct attempts to prevent the advancement of the business community in Berbice.

For years, Guyanese businesses and fishermen have lamented the challenges experienced as a result of unfair and one-sided practices by Surinamese authorities that have created obstacles for Guyanese businesses and fishermen. Added to this, Guyana continues to witness the proliferation of counterfeit and illicit goods entering the country from Suriname. In keeping with objective of the Caricom Single Market and Economy, Guyana has allowed the free movement of goods and people from Suriname—a decision that has been respected by Guyana’s private sector—however, lax regulations and controls of ports and Guyana’s respect for the spirit of the CSME has rendered our country vulnerable to the
movement of illicit, counterfeit, and harmful products into Guyana. These products include cigarettes, banned pesticides and mosquito coils that were found to present significant health risks to consumers. Beyond the threats to wellbeing, the movement of these products have resulted in challenges to manufacturers in Guyana as the influx of these counterfeit products have resulted in unfair market competition.

These transgressions against Guyana have not been limited to our businesses, but there looms a greater infringement to the country’s sovereignty. Similar to Venezuela’s unlawful claim to the Essequibo, Suriname continues to lay claim to the New River Triangle. The pursuit of Suriname of this illegal claim seems to be one of the key motivations for the creation of impediments to the rapid pace of development being undertaken in Guyana, including in Berbice, and aimed at preventing this county from reaching its peak potential. It is recalled that the use of force by Suriname in June 2000 against the CGX rig, delayed
first oil by Guyana for some 19 years—in spite of the fact that the rig was in Guyana’s waters. That was firmly confirmed by the Arbitral Award of 2007 that delimited the maritime boundary between Guyana and Suriname. This seems to be a pattern of behavior by Suriname.

As such, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) calls on the Government of Guyana to halt discussions on the development of the Corentyne River Bridge linking Guyana and Suriname unless these issues are permanently resolved. As a nation, Guyana must not continue to extend a hand of friendship without reciprocity. Our resources must be channeled towards undertakings that yield mutual benefit, and ought not include partners who frustrate and obstruct our people’s advancement.