PARAMARIBO, Suriname, CMC—The Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce (SGCC) says it is working to improve opportunities for its members in the two Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries.
The SGCC was represented at the just concluded Suriname Energy, Oil & Gas Summit (SEOGS) that ended here last Friday. Still, members spent an extra day discussing the opportunities and possibilities in each other’s country.
“We want people from Suriname and Guyana to look closely at each other. We can achieve so much in the region if we do it together. A lot will come to both countries. And if we are not ready, if we do not raise our level, we will complain. We’ll complain and blame everyone coming in instead of looking at what we need to do,” said SGCC chairman, Vishnu Doerga.
The SGCC said that while the SEOGS was undoubtedly a success, much more needs to be done to take advantage of the enormous opportunities the new oil and gas industry brings.
However, the private sector group also acknowledges that much depends on the governments, especially on the investment organizations (SITA and Go-Invest) in both countries and that not all the necessary legislation and regulations are in place yet.
Doerga said that the SGCC also has a lot of work to do, noting that the oil industry in Guyana is already underway, while in Suriname, the final decision has yet to be made to start drilling at sea.
“What also happens is that not all companies are in the oil sector. They are in tourism, manufacturing, or the agricultural industry. What we want to do is for these companies to understand what the market is in the other country with which they wish to collaborate. The rules in both countries are also different. Our job is to understand those rules so one does not make mistakes and fall behind.
“It’s also about employment. If there is no work for my specialty here in Suriname, I can work in Guyana. And vice versa. Some goods are unavailable here but available there, and vice versa. We can easily provide for each other. And when we compete with Trinidad, for example, we need a larger market so that our companies can run at more volume. We can then continue in CARICOM,” he added.
“We really need to get to know each other better. Too many companies still make mistakes and then say that Suriname is not good, that Guyana is not good. We do business in both countries. We know that if you stick to the rules and have good partners, it will be easy. That is what we offer,” he said, emphasizing the need for collaboration.
and then  says it is working to improve opportunities for its members){kind=link}