PARAMARIBO — Suriname and Jamaica want to further strengthen their bilateral relationship. This intention was expressed on Wednesday during a meeting between President Jennifer Simons and Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness. The government leaders held discussions at the presidential palace on various topics, after which they gave a short press briefing. Both countries intend to cooperate in the areas of oil and gas, energy security, agriculture, tourism, trade and connectivity. The withdrawal of qualified workers, including healthcare workers, was also discussed.
“In general, we can say that the governments of Jamaica and Suriname want to work together, strengthen cooperation in order to give the people of both countries a better future,” said President Simons. The collaboration must lead to investments and knowledge exchange. According to President Simons, Jamaicans have a lot of experience in the tourism industry. This collaboration should help develop and strengthen the tourism sector in Suriname. “Suriname has advantages in oil and gas, and they have advantages in tourism. So we can learn from each other and we have agreed to actually do so,” President Simons continued.
“Suriname and Jamaica will also look at the possibility of a direct flight connection”
Agriculture and connectivity
In the field of agriculture, the head of state expects that investors from the Caribbean island can help the agricultural sector start up more quickly. President Simons emphasized that Jamaica already imports a lot from Suriname. “Suriname now wants to invest in the agricultural sector, so that you have a win-win situation for both countries and the agricultural sector can also get a boost.”
In terms of connectivity, the focus is on air and sea connectivity. The intention is that this topic will also be promoted within Caricom. President Simons further said that Suriname also wants to use Jamaica’s experience to help improve its own airport.
Opportunities through energy
Prime Minister Holness sees oil and gas as a growth area in the region. According to him, this development creates opportunities for energy security. Due to the presence of oil and gas in Trinidad, Guyana and Suriname, energy security is now within reach of the CARICOM.
However, the Jamaican head of government emphasized that it is therefore of paramount importance that the governments within CARICOM communicate with each other about this in a strategic manner. According to Prime Minister Holness, the demand for energy will increase and it is therefore important to expand to renewable and nuclear energy. He emphasizes that in addition to the focus on capital investments, there must also be attention to labor.
Agriculture and tourism
Prime Minister Holness is also looking at the availability of agricultural land in countries such as Suriname and Guyana, which can be used to supply markets such as Jamaica and other CARICOM countries. “We will intensify our cooperation so that Jamaican investors invest in large-scale industrial agriculture in countries such as Suriname and Guyana.”
With regard to tourism, the Jamaican Prime Minister thinks that Suriname, given its wealth of forests, should focus more on ecotourism. However, he emphasized that basic skills are necessary. Jamaica also wants to contribute to this. Suriname and Jamaica will also explore the possibility of a direct flight connection. “Hopefully an agreement can be reached quickly,” the prime minister said. According to him, countries will also have to position themselves very strategically with the opportunities that will come from natural resources. Above all, workers will need to be skilled so that wealth is generated from natural resources in a sustainable manner.
