02.08.12 Suriname Politics and Security
Suriname wants co-operation with Ecuador's petroleum sector
Suriname would like closer co-operation with Ecuador's mining and petroleum
sector. In two months' time, Natural Resources Minister Jim Hok will travel to Quito to start discussions.
This was made clear during the official visit of Ecuador's Foreign Affairs
Minister Ricardo Armando Patiño Aroca. With a 12-member delegation, he visited Suriname on 17 and 18 July. Suriname's
Minister of Foreign Affaris Winston Lackin received his counterpart and delegation and there were talks on regional
integration, climate change, markets for products, visa policy and tourism.
Ecuador's
tourism is booming; there is a 10% growth each year. Suriname is also busy
establishing its tourism industry. Education was another topic of the
discussions. At
the end of the visit a 'Memorandum of Understanding' was signed in which, among
other things, it was agreed that there will be an exchange programme of
knowledge between both countries. Furthermore, there must be co-operation in
the areas
of trade and agriculture.
The visit of the Ecuadorian delegation must be seen in the light of deepening
the regional integration. Suriname, being a small non-Spanish speaking country
on
the continent, has always been isolated compared to the Spanish-speaking
countries. The Bouterse-Ameerali government is now trying to break out of this isolation.
For more news and expert analysis about Suriname, please see Suriname Politics & Security.
© 2012 Menas Associates