Suriname-Guyana Chamber Elects New Board, Signals Stronger Push for Cross-Border Trade

April 13, 2026•3 min read

Suriname-Guyana Chamber Elects New Board, Signals Stronger Push for Cross-Border Trade

Georgetown/Paramaribo, March 30, 2026 - The Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce (SGCC) has elected its new Board of Directors for the 2026-2027 term, marking a new phase in the Chamber’s efforts to strengthen trade, investment, and private sector collaboration between Suriname and Guyana.

The announcement came during SGCC’s 3rd Annual General Meeting, held virtually on Monday, March 30, 2026, with members and stakeholders from both countries in attendance.

The newly elected Board brings together senior business and professional leaders from key sectors in Suriname and Guyana. In accordance with the Chamber’s Constitution, the Board will meet within 15 days to elect its Executive Officers, including Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, and Board Secretary.

Suriname Directors

Mr. Jimmy Manna, Managing Director, Elgawa N.V.
Ms. Angelique Redjodiwirjo, Senior Commercial Manager, Fernandes Bakery N.V.
Mr. Derrick Klaverweide, Commercial Director, Optiek Ninon
Mr. Navin Gangaram-Panday, Managing Partner (Suriname), RCFA Accountants & Tax Advisors
Mr. Brian Imambaks, Founder, Technovate N.V.

Guyana Directors

Dr. Vishnu Doerga, Chairman, ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc.
Dr. Alista Bishop, Founder, AX Investments & Consultants
Mr. Samuel Glasgow, Attorney-at-Law, Glasgow Law Practice
Mr. Pritipaul Singh Jr., Managing Director, Guyana Port Inc.
Mr. Mark Sookhai, Partner, M. Sookhai & Co.
Ms. Annabelle Carter-Sharma, Company Secretary & Operations and Quality Director, Total Property Management Services

The AGM also reflected on SGCC’s continued growth as a bilateral business platform and its increasing role in advancing stronger commercial ties across the Suriname-Guyana corridor. Tribute was paid to the late former President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, whose support for the Chamber’s work was acknowledged.

In messages shared in the SGCC’s 2025 Annual Report, Honorary Board Members emphasized the Chamber’s increasing importance as a private sector bridge between the two neighbouring economies. H.E. Virjanand Depoo, Ambassador of Guyana, stated that SGCC’s strength lies in its model of “continuity, trust, and execution,” and said the Chamber is well-positioned to advocate more forcefully for transformational projects such as the Corentyne

River Bridge, which remains critical to unlocking greater trade and integration between the two countries. H.E. Liselle Blankendal, Ambassador of Suriname and Co-founder of SGCC, noted that the Chamber has grown into “a credible and dynamic platform” that is delivering real value to members, strengthening bilateral business ties, and contributing meaningfully to economic growth.

SGCC also expressed appreciation to its outgoing leadership and directors for helping to shape the Chamber’s early growth and credibility. Special recognition was given to:

Dr. Vishnu Doerga, Former Chair
Mr. Derrick Klaverweide, Former Vice-Chair
Mr. Mark Sookhai, Former Treasurer
Mr. Samuel Glasgow, Former Board Secretary

With a new Board now in place, SGCC says it will continue to focus on delivering value to members, building strategic business connections, and advocating for initiatives that make cross-border commerce easier and more impactful.