Guyana govt, Surinamese beverage company agree to reduced damages

Last Updated on Wednesday, 22 July 2015, 15:56 by GxMedia

The Guyana government has reached an agreement with the Surinamese beverage company, RUDISA International NV, with regard to the repayment of a judgement of US$7.72M in keeping with a ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). The agreement includes the repayment of a reduced sum.

Harmon refused to disclose the reduced debt, opting only to say that it would be “sufficient” and he was not at liberty to discuss the details because it is preliminary agreement.

RUDISA’s owner, Rudi Sardjoe met with the President of Guyana, David Granger and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, at the Ministry of the Presidency, Wednesday morning.  The purpose of the meeting was to iron out a settlement for repayment.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon said that RUDISA has agreed to a smaller sum and Government welcomes this.  He said that it is important that there is good cooperation between investors and the Government of Guyana.  He added that the agreement bodes well for the relationship between Guyana and Suriname.

“When the Guyana has to fork out money to pay for anything, it is the people of the country that actually have to do without and so Mr.Sarjoe’s generosity is something we really we appreciate.  He has actually given us a package which gives us some breathing room,” the Minister of State said.

RUDISA’s owner, Rudi Sardjoesaid, “It is not about the money… We are a company working in Guyana a lot and we want to maintain the close relations that we have with the people of Guyana.”

The Government of Guyana was ordered by the CCJto pay RUDISA some US$6, 047,244.47, which had been collected in an environmental tax that contravenes the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC).  The sum was further increased after Guyana incurred a contempt of court judgement under the previous administration.