The Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten Mr. Rene Violenus met with the President of the Republic of Suriname, Mr. Chandrikapersad Santokhi. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation Mr Albert R. Ramdin, the Ambassador of the Republic of Suriname in The Hague, Mr Rajendre Khargi. The Ministers Plenipotentiary of Aruba and Curacao, Mr. Edmond Paris and Mr. Carlson Manuel were also present during the courtesy visit.
During this meeting the Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten was accompanied by the Director of his Cabinet, Ms. Carol Voges, his Senior Advisor International Economic Affairs, Mr. P. Rostam and a representative from DBB, Mr. R. Voges.
The meeting was coordinated and arranged by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and was held at the Hilton Hotel in the Hague. After the opening and a brief introduction by President Santokhi, he gave a short overview of the current situation of Suriname and the fully restored diplomatic relation between the Netherlands and Suriname. The Republic of Suriname received confirmation of the availability of about US$ 1,5 Billion by the IMF, World Bank and IDB for the next 3 years to restore and develop it’s economy. For this all potential partners and markets are being explored in a rapid phase to engage when necessary. Sint Maarten being part of the Caribbean is also considered to be a potential market to do business with, but also to explore other bilateral cooperation.
Minister Violenus expressed his gratitude for the meeting and indicated the potential areas of cooperation between the two countries briefly elaborating on some fields and areas varying from business development, trade, agriculture, food security, diaspora, culture, tourism, and more.
A follow-up meeting or visit will be planned by the delegation of Suriname to Sint Maarten later this year or visa-versa. Both countries expressed their commitments to further explore possible cooperation.
