Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname are on the verge of forging closer bilateral energy ties, based on reports arising out of discussions between the Surinamese President Chandrikapersaud Santokhi and Trinidad and Tobago’s Energy Minister Stuart Young in Paramaribo earlier this week, according to a report emanating from Port of Spain.
The two reportedly held exchanges on the sidelines of Suriname’s Second Energy, Oil and Gas Conference (SEOGAS) which concluded earlier this week as Suriname prepares to join its neighbor, Guyana as a world class oil producer.
Chandrikapersad Chan Santokhi
At the end of the discourses the T&T Energy Minister reportedly dropped a broad hint with regard to the timbre of the exchange with the Trinidad Express quoting him as saying that arising out of his discourses with the Surinamese President Paramaribo and Port of Spain will be giving serious consideration to how the two Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member countries can intensify bilateral cooperation. Young is quoted as saying that “the oil and gas industry is one of the important areas to enter into a partnership.”
Trinidad and Tobago predates Guyana and Suriname as members of the high profile ‘international energy club and what is believed to be the imminent elevation of Suriname to the status of a world class oil producer will serve to bring the Caribbean Community, as a whole further into the global spotlight.
With Trinidad and Tobago reportedly realizing around 40% of its gross domestic product and 80% of its export earnings from its oil and gas industry, it has assumed the position of the wealthiest country in the region, though the twin-island Republic may well be currently making room for Guyana and Suriname to join them there.
The talks between the Surinamese Prime Minister and the Trinidad and Tobago Energy Minister may well portend agreement on the deepening of cooperation between the two countries, a possible eventuality hinted at by the Surinamese Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin. “We discussed bilateral cooperation in general and cooperation in the field of energy, with a view to developments in the Surinamese oil and gas sector.” Ramdin is quoted as saying about the talks between the Surinamese President and the T&T Energy Minister,” Ramdin is also quoted as saying, alluding to the fact that Trinidad and Tobago is “a strong player in the oil and gas industry” from which Suriname can learn.
The scheduled presence of Trinidad and Tobago Dr. Keith Rowley in Paramaribo next week to attend Paramaribo With Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley scheduled to be in Paramaribo next week for their twenty third Inter-Sessional Conference, creates opportunity for further talks on bilateral cooperation between Paramaribo and Port of Spain on the blossoming of the Suriname oil sector.
.“We can learn from this and work together. The talks will continue next week when the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago will also be in Suriname to attend the CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting,” Ramdin is quoted as saying.
In his address during the SEOGS, the Surinamese Foreign Minister is reported to have stressed the importance of the oil and gas industries to the Surinamese economy that will contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of the country in a sustainable way. “Visionary leadership is needed to create the spin-offs of cost-effective gas-based energy generation, such as new industrial complexes that will guarantee the continuity of food production, for example. And that leadership is there,” he said. Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali was identified by the Surinamese Foreign Minister as being part of that leadership.
