President Dr. Irfaan Ali has signalled that the Government of Guyana is intensifying its diplomatic efforts to resolve growing concerns over Suriname’s move to impose charges for the use of the Corentyne River, warning that such measures could have significant consequences for trade and bilateral relations between the two neighbouring countries.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event at the Guyana Defence Force on Wednesday, President Ali said the administration has placed “tremendous emphasis” on the issue, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs engaged on the matter on a daily basis.
“Every day the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is engaged on this matter. In another few days, we will step up our advocacy in getting this matter sorted,” Dr. Ali told reporters.
When asked whether a formal response had been received to a diplomatic note sent to Suriname, the President said the matter remains under the purview of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, which is handling the diplomatic correspondence.
President Ali cautioned that Suriname’s reported decision to introduce charges for use of the Corentyne River could create unnecessary barriers to trade and erode business confidence — disrupting longstanding arrangements that have existed between the two countries for years.
He also underscored the importance of reciprocity in the bilateral relationship, noting that Surinamese businesses have long been able to operate within Guyana without discrimination or restriction, and urging Suriname to reconsider the reported measures.
Following the President’s public remarks, Suriname’s Foreign Minister Melvin Bouva engaged Guyana’s Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud, indicating that diplomatic discussions between the two sides are actively continuing.
