Bouterse wants to reintensify ties with Barbados

Barbados PM on official visit to Suriname:

Prime Minister Mia Mottley on Wednesday began an official threeday visit to Suriname at the invitation of President Desi Bouterse. According to Barbados Today, Ms Mottley has underscored the importance of her visit, saying relations between the two countries would be strengthened. “Closer cooperation with Suriname in the areas of trade and investment, agriculture, energy and education and training would be in Barbados’ interest. In addition, Suriname’s strategic position between Latin America and the Caribbean presents significant potential for exports from Barbados,” she pointed out. Noting that the two countries shared similar goals, the PM stated that Suriname was focusing on removing identified weaknesses, for example, enacting more businessfriendly legislation and improving the ease of setting up business. Barbados and Suriname established diplomatic relations in March 1978. This friendship was strengthened in February 2005 with the signing of the Agreement for the Deepening of Bilateral Cooperation between both Governments. This Agreement provides for joint action in several areas, including trade and investment, agriculture, housing, the environment, education and training, science and technology, marine affairs, culture and sports. It also made provision for a Joint Commission to facilitate implementation of the agreement via the execution of projects.

PM Mottley is reportedly being accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Dr Jerome Walcott and Special Adviser to the PM on International Business, Ben Arrindell.

President Bouterse is enthusiastic about PM Mottley’s visit. Mottley who is the first female PM of Barbados will encourage efforts to start up international trade within the Caricom.

The Caricom Single Market and Economy is her favorite topic and she will soon be appointed as vocal point to speed up the process.

“Suriname will keep committing itself to strengthening the ties with Barbados,” said President Bouterse after welcoming PM Mottley at the Presidential Palace in Paramaribo.

President Bouterse who wants to pay special attention to the agrarian and transport sector announced that the BarbadosSuriname Joint Economic and Technical and Culture Cooperation Commission should be reactivated. The delegation from Barbados will reportedly visit the Brokopondo District.