PARAMARIBO, Suriname, CMC—President Chandrikapersad Santokhi is beginning an official visit to Aruba and Curaçao, where the Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country seeks to strengthen existing historical and cultural ties.
“We have worked hard in recent years to strengthen our relations. Aruba and Curacao are countries with which we have historical and cultural ties that go back to before 1975. We must reaffirm these,” said Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation Minister Albert Ramdin.
Ramdin, who, along with the first lady, Mellisa Santokhi-Seenacherry, is part of the official delegation, said the focus of the visit will be on improving trade relations, diplomatic consultations, and joint projects that can contribute to the economic growth of Suriname and the two islands.
“We are determined to develop both political and trade relations further. This includes stimulating the export of Surinamese products and exploring investment opportunities,” he said.
The delegation will first visit Aruba and then travel to Curacao, and Ramdin said that agreements to formalize the collaborations are hoped to be signed.
“We will also have meetings with the business community to see how they want to respond to investment opportunities in Suriname,” Ramdin said, noting that the government attaches great value to the Surinamese diaspora in Aruba and Curacao.
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