Georgetown : The bridging of the Corentyne River that will link Guyana and Suriname remains a key area of focus for the Governments of both countries, and at present the structure’s design is being formulated. The bridge will be funded by the Chinese Government.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett said that, “Guyana, at the request of Suriname, we have informed the Chinese Government that we are supportive of the bridge across the Corentyne River.”
The Guyana Government has sent letters of ‘no-objection’ to the Foreign Affairs Ministries of Suriname and China for the construction of the bridge.
In 2010, the then president Bharat Jagdeo and his Surinamese counterpart, Desi Bouterse signed an accord for the undertaking of a feasibility study, on bridging the Corentyne River, as both countries pledged to pursue a closer working relationship.
The bridge was identified as one of the projects that would further physically integrate the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR).
During a meeting in Suriname in 2012, President Donald Ramotar and President Bouterse had agreed to move to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to seek joint financing for the bridge.
They reiterated the significance of building the structure, noting that it would considerably enhance trade and economic relations and cultural exchanges between the peoples of the two nations.
