Pres. Ali calls on Suriname to partner with Guyana for major gas development in Berbice

With Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) positioned to become the country’s next gas hub, President Dr Irfaan Ali has called on neighbouring Suriname to combine resources to transform the initiative into a largescale one, as part of a broader regional strategy.

He made the call today during the opening ceremony of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo 2026.

“On the Berbice gas project, we want to do this with our friends in Suriname. And we are hoping that our friends in Suriname can make a decision to join us by bringing their gas with our gas so we can move from a medium-sized project to a large-scale project for both of our countries and for the region,” President Ali said.

He added that the vision for Berbice goes beyond Suriname. He referenced deepening transport and logistics integration with northern Brazil, positioning Guyana as a gateway between South America and the Caribbean.

“We are gearing up for the interconnectivity with Brazil and the interconnectivity with the rest of the region,” the president remarked.

That interconnectivity includes advancing road corridors to Lethem and into Brazil, proposed new international airports in Lethem and at Rose Hall, and the development of a deepwater port to support large-scale trade and industrial growth.

The President also spoke about a second gas to shore pipeline to be landed at Berbice. He said this signals government’s intention to accelerate onshore gas development in Berbice, laying the foundation for industrial expansion, job creation and value-added manufacturing.

Meanwhile, the Guyanese leader emphasised that the country’s energy wealth must ultimately strengthen not just national capacity, but regional stability.

With offshore production continuing to rise, President Ali made it clear that the next phase of Guyana’s energy expansion will centre on Berbice, transforming Region Six into a regional gas, logistics and industrial hub built on partnership with Suriname, integration with Brazil and deeper regional cooperation.