SURINAME-Suriname President says the country must benefit from a relationship with Saudi Arabia.

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, CMC – President Chandrikapersad “Chan” Santokhi has returned home from Saudi Arabia, saying that the Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country must seek to take full advantage of the opportunities being presented by the closer relationship with the largest country in the Arabian Peninsula.

Santokhi was among CARICOM leaders who attended the inaugural Saudi Arabia-CARICOM summit held in Ridadhlast week.

“Together with my CARICOM counterparts, we discussed strengthening partnerships and promoting cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the Caribbean region,” Santokhi said on his return on Saturday night.

He described the visit to Saudi Arabia as being of “great importance to strengthen our position in the world and talk about cooperation in economy, investments, trade, tourism and more.

“I indicated that strong relations must continue between our private sector and the investment agencies. I also indicated that Suriname has the opportunity to engage in agriculture on a large scale and has great potential in terms of carbon credits.”

He said the Saudi Arabian government has shown a commitment to environmental issues, pledging one billion US dollars to support emerging nations.

“As President of Suriname, I think it is important that we do not miss these opportunities. I appreciate the involvement and look forward to the economic opportunities, attracting investments, and strengthening diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia, which can contribute to Suriname’s overall development and growth,” Santokhi said.

Meanwhile, Guyana says it is leading discussions on establishing a US$25 million hydroponics facility for the Caribbean region, and recognizing the importance of the many challenges faced, Saudi Arabia has set aside US$2.5 billion for the region’s development.

President Irfaan Ali said the US$2.5 billion will allow for the approval of several projects for different countries in the Caribbean. At the same time, the hydroponics facility is geared at accelerating food production in the region.

Ali told a news conference that the summit was a “tremendous” success.

“We left there feeling a sense of pride that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia fully understands the value of CARICOM as an important development and strategic partner in addressing the many challenges we face as a world. Energy, food, climate, culture, and art,” Ali said.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia made available not only all their technical and ministerial resources but the private sector resources and financing,” he said, adding that Saudi Arabia has committed to creating a unique window by giving some preferences for those in the region who wants to go to perform the hajj.

“Beyond infrastructure, food, and energy, there were deep discussions on strengthening our cultural exchange. How we support the development of tourism, how we get the private sector to invest in the region and here in Guyana, and I am confident that in the coming weeks, we will see tremendous energy about this new strategic relationship,” Ali told reporters.