Dominican Government signs four transcendental agreements with Suriname for the economic strengthening of the country

This Presidency of the Dominican Republic release was published using machine translation.

Santo Domingo.- President Luis Abinader and his counterpart of the Republic of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi , led this Thursday the signing of four historic agreements for the economic strengthening of the country, especially in the areas of energy, agriculture, hydrocarbon industry and services. air.

The Dominican and Surinamese leaders served as witnesses to the signing of the agreements, which confirm the shared objective of fostering an environment conducive to strengthening bilateral ties , facilitating greater business collaboration and increasing mutual trade.

At the event, which took place in the Ambassadors' Hall of the National Palace , a joint declaration was read stating that the presidents of the Dominican Republic and Suriname welcomed the discussions between the private sectors of the two countries, in the interest of build partnerships for security and economic resilience , as well as promote complementarity and synergy for both countries and the region.

The presidents reaffirmed their commitment to defend the interests of Small Island Developing States , to confront a series of challenges, including food and energy security and the impacts of climate change , issues of deep interest to the region and that They must be addressed with urgent and collective actions.

Likewise, they called for the broadest participation in the 4th International Conference of Small Island States, to be held in Antigua and Barbuda in May 2024 .

The Dominican and Surinamese leaders reflected on the regional and multilateral issues that continue to affect the achievement of sustainable development and stressed the need to adhere to the rule of law , respect territorial integrity, while promoting democracy and human rights as fundamental initiatives for maintaining the region as a zone of peace.

They highlighted their concern about the serious humanitarian, security and governance crisis facing Haiti and reaffirmed their commitment to continue joint efforts with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the United Nations (UN), to collaborate with the Haitian government and all stakeholders to find a durable solution led by Haiti.

In this sense, they highlighted the important participation of the CARICOM Group of Eminent Persons in the political negotiations for these purposes.

United Nations Security Council Resolution Applauded

Both dignitaries applauded United Nations Security Council Resolution 2699/2023 , which authorizes the deployment of a multinational security support mission in Haiti and committed to contributing, within their capabilities, to the success of the mission. In addition, President Abinader thanked the Government of Suriname for its commitment to supporting the aforementioned security mission.

The leaders recognized this official visit as a testament to the growing and strengthened bilateral relationship between the Dominican Republic and the Republic of Suriname, one that lays the foundation for addressing issues of mutual importance and paves the way for future collaboration towards development and prosperity. from both countries.

This meeting continues the work started by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs , during an official mission to Paramaribo on September 6, 2022 , when the foundations were laid for greater cooperation between the two countries . Since then, commitments have been put in place at a technical level for collaboration, especially in the areas of energy, agriculture and air services.

Very pleasant, cordial and fruitful conversation with President Santokhi

Addressing a few words to those present, President Abinader said that in the different events, forums and international meetings that he has participated in, he has always had a very pleasant, cordial and fruitful conversation with President Santokhi , where they have discussed how between both countries They can complement and benefit each other in many activities.

Highlighting the work that the Foreign Ministers have done to reach these agreements, he said that, in the energy sector, Suriname is becoming a great potential with the discovery, approximately a month ago, of impressive reserves of oil and also from a logistical point of view due to its strategic geography.

At the same time, he said, this nation has agricultural land that can be used especially in the area of corn and rice production. You can also have a special relationship in the agricultural sector , as well as in the tourism sector , since the Dominican Republic has made available the experience it has so that you can develop the great potential you have for ecotourism.

President Abinader announced that tonight they will meet with a broad commission of businessmen and merchants from the Republic of Suriname, who will also contact Dominican businessmen and merchants to increase relations between both countries.

"We have welcomed our dear friend President Santokhi, and his delegation, to know that this is a friendly country, a brother country and that we can make great advances in our relations for the good of both countries, for the good of the public sector and private," said President Abinader.

Collaborate more and create opportunities for both economies

For his part, the President of the Republic of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, expressed that the objective of his visit to the country has been mainly to identify and agree on areas in which he could collaborate more and create opportunities for both economies and maintained that they must take advantage of the geographical points for the benefit of countries, highlighting that they must work together to address global challenges .

He thanked President Abinader for the invitation extended to him and his delegation, as well as for the historic meeting held in the country, this being the first time that a president of Suriname visited the Dominican Republic. He reciprocated the invitation to President Abinader to the South American country.

He highlighted that with person-to-person and public cooperation, all interested parties are being included in the collaboration between Suriname and the Dominican Republic.

In this sense, he said that the working framework mechanisms have been discussed and agreed upon to immediately begin this cooperation. He also indicated that starting today they are working on a follow-up plan with contact people to make the delivery from the highest level of the Presidency.

700 million barrels in oil reserves with production capacity of 200,000 barrels per day

"I just want to reiterate that the opportunities are in the energy sector. As you know, Suriname is located in the northeast of South America with many discoveries in the area of oil and gas. Recently, the discovery was confirmed by the oil company Total Energies of France Only a block of 700 million barrels in oil reserves with a production capacity of 200,000 barrels per day, in a timeline of 2 years," highlighted President Santokhi.

He added that, after exploitation has begun, it will also mean that there will be investment opportunities directly in the oil and gas business , in the businesses that arise, but also those derived such as infrastructure, the hotel sector, airport integrations and, in In this sense, he said that he has extended his invitation to the Government and the private sector to visit Suriname and with the private sector together with the institutions of his Government, to seek investment opportunities.

"We have already agreed to formalize this cooperation. It is time to implement it and from my leadership, friendly president, Luis Abinader, I can give you complete confirmation, the guarantee and my complete support in the implementation of this cooperation agreement that we signed. You can count on my support " concluded the Surinamese president.

signed memoranda

Memorandum of Understanding on Air Services between the Dominican Republic and Suriname: Establishes significant cooperation in the field of aviation. This bilateral agreement provides a clear framework for air cooperation between both countries and establishes guidelines for the designation of airlines, unrestricted traffic rights, code sharing and charter operations, thus promoting greater connectivity and facilitating the transport of passengers and goods. between both countries.

Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Energy and Mines of the Dominican Republic and the Ministry of Natural Resources of Suriname on Cooperation in the Field of the Hydrocarbon Industry: Establishes a solid collaboration between the parties in the hydrocarbon industry. The main objective of this agreement is to promote cooperation and the exchange of knowledge and technology in the hydrocarbon sector, thus benefiting both parties in terms of economic and technological development. Additionally, the memorandum establishes a framework for collaboration in the exploration, production and development of energy resources, as well as the implementation of advanced and sustainable technologies in the hydrocarbon industry.

This includes sharing knowledge on exploration and extraction methods, as well as technologies for the safe and efficient production, refining and distribution of hydrocarbons. In addition, the memorandum may involve collaboration on joint research and development projects, as well as the exchange of technical personnel and experts to promote mutual learning and knowledge transfer in the sector.

Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Dominican Republic and the Government of the Republic of Suriname for the cooperation and promotion of the agricultural sector: Establishes specific areas of cooperation that include the development of sustainable agricultural practices, exchange of information on food production and management of natural resources; agricultural research and development, promotion of agricultural trade and access to international markets, as well as training and development of human resources in the agricultural sector.

Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Republic of Suriname and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Dominican Republic, on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Affairs: It aims to strengthen exchange and cooperation in sanitary and phytosanitary matters to facilitate and develop bilateral trade in animals, plants and their products.

In the sanitary and phytosanitary field, measures will be developed for the importation of live animals, plants and products of animal and plant origin, complying with the provisions of the SPS Agreement of the WTO and the competent international organizations. In addition, it is agreed to establish a technical working group composed of experts in animal and plant health and food safety to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

The Memoranda were signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic, Roberto Álvarez , and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation of Suriname, Albert R. Ramdin .

Delegations

The delegation of the Dominican Republic that participates in the official visit of President Santokhi is made up of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Roberto Álvarez; of the Presidency, Joel Santos; administrative officer of the Presidency, José Ignacio Paliza; of Agriculture, Limber Cruz; of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs, Víctor Bisonó; of Economy, Planning and Development, Pavel Isa, and of Energy and Mines, Antonio Almonte.

Also, the executive vice president of the National Council for Climate Change and Clean Development Mechanism, Max Puig; the director of ProDominicana, Biviana Riveiro; the president of the Civil Aviation Board, José Ernesto Marte Piantini; the extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of the Dominican Republic in Suriname, Wellington Bencosme; the Technical Vice Minister of the Ministry of Tourism, Jacqueline Mora, representing the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, and the presidential appointee, Tulio Rodríguez.

Meanwhile, the Suriname delegation is made up of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation, Albert R. Ramdin; Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Miriam A. Mac Intosh; Permanent Secretary for International Business, Hendrika K. Gajadin-Soerdjoesing; the investment director at the Investment and Trade Agency, Bieddiawatie van de L'Isle-Bissumbhar; the Presidential Cabinet advisor, Partab Bissumbhar, and the president of the Logistics Energy Supervisory Council, Anand A. Kalpoe.