PARAMARIBO, Suriname – President Jennifer Greelings-Simons is to pay an two-day official visit to the Dominican Republic in June as the bilateral relationship between two countries improve.
President Jennifer Greelings-Simons (File Photo)President Greelings-Simons will visit Santo Domingo from June 1 and will hold talks with her counterpart, Luis Abinader, as well as further talks on cooperation.
Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation (BIS) Minister, Melvin Bouva, last week held preparatory talks with his Dominican Republic counterpart Roberto Alvarez signing a joint declaration of cooperation.
Bouva said that talks covered a wide range of issues including economic cooperation and tourism and that since April 16, there has been a direct air connection between Suriname and the Dominican Republic.
Bouva said Suriname can learn from the Dominican Republic, which is regarded as one of the region’s premier tourist destinations, attracting 12 million visitors annually. The government official estimates that Suriname attracts 500,000 visitors each year.
Bouva also points out potential opportunities to export agricultural products to the country. “Corn, soybeans, boulanger, and cocoa were specifically mentioned,” said Bouva, who also paid a courtesy visit to the head o the Senate informing him of Suriname’s agenda.
“That we are firmly committed to having stronger ties within the framework of regional integration,” he said, adding “the message was very well received by the Senate, and they are awaiting President Simons’ arrival with enthusiasm.”
