The Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce (SGCC) has announced the signing of a groundbreaking Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with Berbice business bodies.
MoUs were signed with the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association, Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (CCCC) Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and the Region Five Chamber of Commerce and Industry and are intended to strengthen trade relations and enhance business opportunities between Guyana and Suriname, the SGCC disclosed in a release yesterday.
It is by fostering a cooperative network, the SGCC stated, that the agreement aims to facilitate a more seamless flow of trade and investment, while offering technical support and boosting regional and global business development through collaborative efforts.
According to the release, the MoU was officially signed during a meeting held on May 3, at the offices of the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce office. Here, Chairman of the Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce, Dr Vishnu Doerga, presented on the current labour situation in Guyana and discussed potential improvements. This was followed by a general discussion on how the chambers can better serve their members and increase membership, focusing on creating more value and support for businesses within the territories.
The MoU, the SGCC explained, signifies a commitment to the following: 1) Increased trade and business relations – this involves the Chambers working together to promote multilateral trade, offer technical assistance, and encourage investment partnerships between Guyana and other territories.
2) Support for Businesses – the partnership will focus on creating networks to support, promote, and encourage businesses operating in Guyana.
3) Improved Trade Facilitation – the cooperation between the Chambers will enhance trade facilitation standards, procedures, and best practices for businesses in Guyana and collaborating territories.
Further, the key objectives of the MoU include promoting multilateral trade liberalizations and technical assistance; encouraging investment partnerships across the cooperative territories; and expanding the reach and penetration of Guyanese markets through improved trade facilitations and relations.
“The MoU is designed to be adaptable, allowing for future adjustments to meet the changing needs of businesses and regions, fostering strong regional collaboration that will be key to driving economic development throughout Guyana and beyond.”
Further, in what was described as a “significant” move to connect Guyanese businesses with opportunities in Suriname, collaborations have been set up to include Guyanese enterprises in a trade mission to Suriname which will take place from June 5 to 9.
This, it was explained, mission will feature targeted business to business meetings and a visit to the Suriname Energy Oil and Gas Summit (SEOGS), designed to foster “direct connections and synergies” between businesses across both countries. The SGCC will also support the CCCC with encouraging Suriname companies to participate in the CCCC’s October Berbice Expo. Attendance at the Berbice Expo will also be encouraged at the SGCC’s October International Business Expo, the release added.
