Gov’t will resolve fishing licences issue with Suriname

President Irfaan Ali stressed that his government will not relent on its promise to address the fishing licences matter with the Surinamese authority. He made this disclosure on Wednesday,

The President noted that Fisherfolk, plying their trade in Suriname’s waters, have been complaining about constant harassment since they are not licenced to fish in the country’s territory.  He went on to stressed that some fisherfolk pointed out that they were also renting licences that were issued to Surinamese at high costs, while a number of them were not granted licences.

Ali disclosed that he had spoken to Suriname’s President, Chandrikapersad Santokhi and the country’s Foreign Affairs Minister Albert Ramdin earlier Wednesday, and was promised “some statistics” to show the number of licences issued to Guyanese. “Minister Ramdin claimed that a high percentage of licences issued by the Surinamese authority were issued to Guyanese, so I am waiting for that,” Ali said.

The President pointed out that the Surinamese leader has also assured that the remaining issues will be resolved soon. President Ali said Guyana has had excellent collaboration with its Surinamese counterpart pertaining to fisherfolk and expects the bond to continue. “We are not wavering on our position that we must have a resolution of this issue,” Ali said.

The Head of State noted that Guyana has always been welcoming to investors in all sectors, specifically from neighbouring Suriname, “and we have always supported them. And I expect that these investors too, the private sector from Suriname who has always expressed strong sentiments would also add their voice on this issue.” Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo engaged fisherfolk along the Corentyne Coast who have been longing to receive their official licences to work last Week. Dr. Jagdeo said the matter remains a priority of the administration.

It was noted that Government has committed to increasing pressure on the neighbouring country at the highest level. The VP’s dialogue with the stakeholders also saw contributions from Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, and Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd.