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KEY FACTS Suriname Official name: Republiek Suriname (Republic of Suriname) Head of State: President Ronald Venetiaan (NPS) Head of government: President Ronald Venetiaan PARAMARIBO Ruling party: Nieuwe Front voor Democratie (NF) (New Front for Democracy) coalition led by Nationale Partij Suriname (NPS) (National Party of Suriname) (elected May 2000) Nieuw Amsterdam SURINAME Nieuw Nickerie Paranam Moengo Albina Kwakoegron Matapi Area: 163,265 square km oran ti Official language: Dutch Currency: Suriname dollar (Su$) = 100 cents Exchange rate: Su$2.74 per US$ (Jun 2004) (on 1 Jan 2004, guilders were converted to Suriname dollars at Su$1.00 per 1,000 guilders) GDP per capita: US$3,500 (2003) FRENCH GUIANA SURINAME R. C Capital: Paramaribo (Parbo) Prof. van Blommesteinmeer R. Coppename jn Population: 460,300 (2004) Brokopondo Cottica R. Tapanahony GUYANA Kawatop DISPUTED TERRITORY Alalapadu GDP real growth: 3.80% (2003) Labour force: 100,000 (2003) Unemployment: 17.00% (2003) BRAZIL Inflation: 20.00% (2003) 0 Miles 100 0 Km 160 Oil production: 10,000 bpd (2003) Balance of trade: US$145.00 million (2003) Foreign debt: US$321.00 million (2003) 1438 COUNTRY PROFILE Historical profile 1652 The British founded the first settlement but gave it to the Netherlands in a swap for New Amsterdam, the settlement at the mouth of the Hudson river that later became New York. The territory became known as Dutch Guiana. 1973 Henck Arron became prime minister, leading negotations for independence from the Netherlands, the colonial power. 1975 Dutch Guiana gained independence and was re-named Suriname. 1980 A successful military coup was led by Desi Bouterse. 1980–87 Bouterse ruled with a military government. 1987–88 Parliamentary democracy was returned with the November 1987 general election and the election by the 51-seat National Assembly of the president in January 1988. The National State Council, which has an ill-defined ‘advisory’ role, included members of the military. Henck Arron became prime minister again, and also vice president. 1990 The military resumed power under Bouterse in December. 1991 A civilian government was elected in May. 1999 The cabinet resigned after there were protests over Suriname’s economic problems. 2000 President Jules Albert Wijdenbosch lost the elections, but was to remain in office until the Nieuwe Front voor Democratie (NF) (New Front for Democracy) coalition agreed a candidate in August. Ronald Venetiaan was chosen by the National Assembly as president. 2002 Hundreds of workers protested after the government decided to close the state-owned banana company, Surland. 2004 On 1 January, Suriname converted its currency – guilders – to Suriname dollars (Su$) at a rate of Su$1.00 per l,000 guilders. Political structure Form of state Parliamentary democratic republic Suriname The executive To win the presidency, a party needs a two-thirds majority in the Assembly. Failing that, the National Assembly, which also contains local and regional councillors, elects the president by simple majority. National legislature The republic has a unicameral 51-seat National Assembly. Elections every five years. Last elections 25 May 2000 (parliamentary) Results: NF 47.3 per cent of the vote, 32 seats; MC 15.1 per cent, 10 seats. Next elections By May 2005 (parliamentary) Political parties Ruling party Nieuwe Front voor Democratie (NF) (New Front for Democracy) coalition led by Nationale Partij Suriname (NPS) (National Party of Suriname) (elected May 2000) Main opposition party Millenium Combinatie (MC) (Millennium Combination) (an alliance of Nationale Democratische Partij (NDP) (National Democratic Party), Kerukanan Tulodo Pranatan Ingit (KTPI) (Party for National Unity and Solidarity) and Democratisch Alternatief (DA’91) (Democratic Alternative)). Population 460,300 (2004) Ethnic make-up East Indian (37 per cent), Creole (31 per cent), Javanese (15 per cent), Black (10 per cent), Indian (3 per cent), Chinese (2 per cent). Religions Hindu (25 per cent), Protestant (25 per cent), Roman Catholic (23 per cent), Islam (20 per cent), traditional beliefs (5 per cent). Education Primary schooling begins at age 6 and last until aged 12. An exam deteremines the route either to a general lower secondary, or technical school. Advancement at age 16, following further exams, leads to either an academic, pre-university senior, or upper vocational, school. Teaching may be delivered in either Dutch or English. Higher education is provided through either a Univerisity, Institute, Academy, or Polytechnic College. Literacy rate: 93 per cent adult rate. Compulsory years: 7 to 12. Enrolment rate: 92.18 per cent net primary; 2.93 per cent net secondary enrolments. Pupils per teacher: 17 in primary schools. Health The total spending on public health is under 10 per cent of GDP, of which government expenditure is about half. Life expectancy: 69 years: male 66.8 years; female 71.8 years (2003). Birth rate/Death rate: 19.4 births per 1,000 population; 6.8 deaths per 1,000 population (2003). Infant mortality rate: 24.7 per 1,000 live births (2003) Ronald Venetiaan’s government began well. It increased taxes and attempted to control spending, but a large pay rise for civil servants threatened earlier gains in stabilising the economy. The Netherlands government agreed to restart the aid flow, which will allow Suriname to access international development financing. Alcoa’s US$65 million expansion to its Paranam alumina refinery, which is expected to be completed in 2005, will be a boost to Suriname’s economy. Economic prospects for the medium-term depend on renewed commitment to responsible monetary and fiscal policies and to the introduction of structural reforms to liberalise markets and promote competition. Main cities Paramaribo (Parbo) (capital, estimated population 217,300 in 2003), Lelydorp (17,600), Nieuw Nickerie (13,300). Languages spoken Sranan Tongo (Creole) is the lingua franca. English, Sarnami (Hindi), Javanese and Chinese are also spoken. Official language/s Dutch Media Press Principal dailies include De Ware Tijd and periodicals include Advertentieblad van de Republick Suriname, Bulletin C-47, CLO Bulletin and USB Bulletin. Other local newspapers are Parbo Daily and De West. Broadcasting Radio: Three government-run stations in Paramaribo: Stichting Radio-Omroep Suriname (SRS), Radio Suriname International (RSI) and Radio Boskopu. Private: Radio Paramaribo, Radio Apintie, Radio Nickerie (RANI), Radio Radhika and Sangeet Mala. Television: Government-owned commercial TV service by STVS and ATV (mainly Dutch and English). Economy The economy is dominated by the bauxite industry, which accounts for more than 15 per cent of GDP and 70 per cent of export earnings. External trade Suriname is planning to create a Free Trade Area (FTA) to prepare for competition in the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) that has been under negotiation since 1994. The FTAA is scheduled to be finalised in 2004 and implemented in 2005. Imports Principal imports are raw materials and semi-manufactures, refined petroleum products, machinery and transport equipment. Imports totalled US$300 million in 2003. Main sources: US (typically 35 per cent of the total), The Netherlands (15 per cent) and Trinidad and Tobago (12 per cent). Exports Principal exports are bauxite, alumina, aluminium, rice, bananas, wood, shrimps. Exports totalled US$445 million in 2003. Main destinations: US (typically 23 per cent of the total), Norway (19 per cent) and The Netherlands (10 per cent). KEY INDICATORS Population Suriname Unit 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 m 0.42 0.42 0.43 0.43 0.45 Gross domestic product (GDP) US$bn GDP per capita US$ 0.52 0.51 0.75 0.89 1.50 1,240 1,214 1,786 2,104 3,500 GDP real growth % -3.7 2.9 5.9 2.7 3.8 Inflation % 98.8 59.1 42.2 28.3 20.0 Exports (fob) (goods) US$m 342.0 399.1 454.0 369.3 445.0 Imports (fob) (goods) US$m 297.9 246.1 457.0 321.9 300.0 Balance of trade US$m 44.1 153.0 -3.0 47.4 145.0 Current account US$m -29.1 32.3 -190.0 -131.0 – Total reserves minus gold US$m 38.5 63.0 119.3 106.2 – Foreign exchange US$m 27.3 52.7 109.6 95.9 – per US$ 605.25 1,322.47 2,178.50 2,346.75 2,346.75 Exchange rate 1439 Nations of the World: A Political, Economic and Business Handbook Agriculture Farming The agricultural sector typically contributes 10 per cent to GDP and employs 20 per cent of the workforce. Permanent crop and arable land accounts for less than 0.5 per cent of total land area, and is concentrated mostly along the coastal plain. Self-sufficiency is nevertheless achieved in most basic foodstuffs. The staple food crop and most important agricultural export is rice, the farming of which is highly mechanised. Suriname exports 40,000 tonnes of rice annually to the EU. Other major crops include palm oil, coconuts, bananas, sugar, citrus fruits and coffee. Crop production in 2003 included: 195,000 metric tonnes (mt) rice, 4,300mt cassava, 9,000mt coconuts, 43,000mt bananas, 11,000mt plantains, 120,000mt sugar cane, 260mt groundnuts, 14,900mt citrus, 1,000mt tomatoes, 3,450mt watermelons, 69,284mt fruit in total, 22,435mt vegetables in total. Livestock production included: 9,179mt meat in total, 2,000mt beef, 1,450mt pigmeat, 60mt lamb and goat meat, 5,670mt poultry, 2,500mt eggs, 8,500mt milk, 86mt honey. Fishing Commercial fishing, particularly for shellfish, is growing in importance and accounts for around 7 per cent of total export earnings. The typical total fish catch is over 19,000mt, plus over 7,700mt of other seafood, per annum. Forestry Around 80 per cent of Suriname is covered by forest, but only 2 per cent is commercially exploited as access is limited. The timber industry is, however, an important sector of the economy. Production in 2002 included: 154,000 cubic metres (cum) roundwood, 47,000cum sawnwood, 43,500cum wood fuel. Industry and manufacturing The industrial sector contributes around 15 per cent to GDP and employs 20 per cent of the workforce. Industrial activities centre on the processing of agricultural produce (particularly timber), bauxite mining and timber processing. Industrial production increased by 6.5 per cent in 2003. In 2003, Alcoa announced a US$65 million, 250,000 tonne expansion to its Paranam alumina refinery, which will increase capacity by approximately 12 per cent. It is expected to be completed by mid-2005. Tourism Ecotourism is growing in importance in Suriname and has contributed to the permanent protection of 1.62 million ha of tropical 1440 forests. Tourist arrivals increased by 4.36 per cent in 2003, compared to 2002. Mining The mining sector contributes around 12 per cent to GDP and employs 5 per cent of the labour force. Suriname’s economy is primarily based on the mining of bauxite and alumina production. Suriname is one of the largest producers of aluminium and bauxite in the world, with bauxite reserves of 600 million tonnes and production typically at four million tonnes per year. The US typically imports over 400,000 tonnes of alumina per annum. The deposits in the major mining areas, Moengo and Paranam, are maturing and are expected to reach the end of their life in 2006. Other reserves in the east, west and north of Suriname are expected to last until 2025. Annual gold production is valued at US$25 million per annum, although 80 per cent of this is in the informal sector and much of the country’s gold output is smuggled away into French Guiana. In Febuary 2004 Cambior, the Canadian mining company, began shipment of gold bars from their Rosebel Gold mine. It is expected that 220,000 ounces of gold will be produced in the first year valued at US$157 per ounce; the government will receive 2.2 per cent royalties from the mine. Other commercially viable minerals include iron ore, copper, nickel, platinum and kaolin. Hydrocarbons Increasing amounts of oil (around 10,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2003) are extracted. By 2003, total oil reserves stood at 170 million barrels. Continued exploration under way in the Saramacca oil region is expected to double proven reserves to 350 million barrels. The country’s only oil refinery produces diesel, heavy vacuum gas oil, fuel oil and bitumen. Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname is a government-owned company that has exclusive rights to explore and produce hydrocarbons alone or in conjunction with other oil companies. Staatsolie aims to develop the Tambaredjo oil field to produce 20,000bpd. Suriname exports oil products mostly to the Caribbean, including Trinidad, Curaçao, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Barbados and Antigua. In June 2004, a UN tribunal was empowered to settle a dispute over oil-rich territory clamed by both Guyana and Suriname. The disputed maritime area includes an oil-rich concession granted to a Canadian company. Energy Total installed electrical generating capacity is estimated at 415MW. Electricity for the aluminium industry is supplied by the Afobakka hydroelectric power station. Suriname Aluminum Company (Suralco) produces about 75MW of electricity for the Suriname government, roughly 75 per cent of the electricity needs of the capital city of Paramaribo. In June 2004, Suriname’s State Energy Company signed a US$23.7 million deal with the Trinidad-based Royal Bank of Trinidad and Tobago to finance part of its local electricity projects estimated to cost US$100 million. Banking and insurance The government has equity stakes in six of Suriname’s eight banks, including a 10 per cent stake in the largest bank, De Surinaamse Bank. Domestic borrowing is mostly undertaken by the government. The highly indebted banking sector is in a poor state and is in need of reform. Central bank Centrale Bank van Suriname Main financial centre Paramaribo. Time GMT minus three hours Geography Suriname is located on the northern part of South America. It borders French Guiana to the east and Guyana to the west. To the west, the Corantijn River forms the border, which is disputed in its most southerly reaches with Guyana. Two other rivers, the Marowijn and Litani form the border with French Guiana. Certain areas of the eastern border are also under dispute. Climate Tropical but cooled by trade winds. Rain throughout the year but heaviest from November–January and from April–July. Average daily temperature remains fairly constant throughout the year at 27 degrees Celsius (C); daily range from 22–35 degrees C from May–October; slightly lower temperatures from November–April. Entry requirements Passports Required by all and valid for six months after arrival. Visa Required by all and must be obtained before travelling. All visitors must have return/onward passage. Business visas require a letter from the employing company explaining the purpose of visit, and the details of all the contacts in Suriname plus an itinerary. See www.surinameembassy.org for more information and to download an application form. Suriname Currency advice/regulations Foreign currency over US$10,000 should be declared on arrival. Local currency import and export is limited to Su$1000. Health (for visitors) Mandatory precautions Yellow fever vaccination certificate required if arriving from an infected area. Advisable precautions Yellow fever, typhoid and polio vaccinations. Malaria prophylaxis recommended and water precautions should be taken. Hotels Paramaribo and Nieuw Nickerie have a number of modern hotels but beds are limited. Service charge of 10 per cent is usual. Public holidays Fixed dates 1 Jan (New Year’s Day), 1 May (Labour Day), 1 Jul (National Union Day), 25 Nov (Independence Day), 25–26 Dec. Variable dates Phagwa (Mar), Good Friday, Easter Monday, Eid Al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Working hours Banking Mon–Fri: 0800–1500. Business Mon–Fri: 0730–1630. Government Mon–Fri: 0700–1500. Shops Mon–Fri: 0700/0730–1630; Sat: 0730–1300. Telecommunications Telephone/fax International direct dialling from Suriname is available. Mobile phones Mobile telephone coverage is limited to Paramaribo. Electricity supply 110/127V and/or 220V AC, 60 cycles Getting there Air National airline: Surinam Airways (SLM). International airport/s: Paramaribo-Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport (PMB), 45km from city; duty-free, bank, restaurant, post office. A coach meets all arrivals; buses and taxis also available (journey time 45 minutes). Airport tax: There is an airport facility charge of US$10 for passengers on international flights; not applicable to 24-hour transit passengers. Surface Road: Coastal roads link Paramaribo with borders of Guyana (at Nieuw Nickerie) and French Guiana (at Albina). Some bus services operate from Cayenne, French Guiana, to Paramaribo, but they tend to be slow and irregular. Water: Regular car ferry services run from French Guiana and Guyana. Main port/s: Paramaribo. Getting about National transport Most infrastructure has been on the country’s narrow coastal plain, with links to the interior weak. Much of the sparsely-populated country is accessible only by air or river. Air: Domestic flights to towns in the interior are operated from Paramaribo (Zorg en Hoop airfield) by Surinam Airways. They also provide services from Paramaribo to the Nieuw Nickerie district, and maintain a charter service. Road: Coastal towns are linked by road from Nieuw Nickerie, through Paramaribo, to Albina. Two new bridges over the Coppename and Suriname rivers, opened in 1999 and 2000, link the east and west of the country. Buses: Paramaribo and most towns have a local bus service. Bus routes link coastal towns but service is irregular and tends to be crowded. Water: When visiting the interior and some coastal areas, river transport may be the least expensive and often most efficient option. Services are centred on Paramaribo; enquire locally for further details. City transport Taxis: Fares by negotiation in advance of journey; tipping is not usual. Car hire Available in Paramaribo through main hotels and Tourist Information Office, Waterkant 8, Paramaribo. International driving licences accepted. BUSINESS DIRECTORY Business directory The addresses listed below are a selection only. While World of Information makes every endeavour to check these addresses, we cannot guarantee that changes have not been made, especially to telephone numbers and area codes. We would welcome any corrections. Telephone area codes The international dialling code (IDD) for Suriname is +597 followed by subscriber’s number. Chambers of Commerce Suriname Chamber of Commerce & Industry, PO Box 139, Mr JC de Miranda Straat, Paramaribo (tel: 473-527; fax: 470-802; e-mail: [email protected]). Banking De Surinaamse Bank NV, Henck Arronstraat 26-30, Paramaribo (tel: 471-100; fax: 477-835). Finabank NV, Dr. S. Redmondstraat 55-61, Paramaribo. Hakrinbank NV, Dr S. Redmondstraat 11-13, Paramaribo (tel: 477-722; fax: 472-066). Landbouwbank NV, Lim A Postraat 28-30, Paramaribo (tel: 475-945, 475-101; fax: 410-821). Nationale Ontwikkelingsbank (NOB), Coppenamelaan 160-162, Paramaribo (tel: 465-000; fax: 497-192). RBTT Bank (Suriname), Kerkplein 1 Paramaribo (tel: 471-555; fax: 411-325). Surinaamse Postspaarbank (SPSB), Knuffelsgracht 11-13, Paramaribo (tel: 472-256; fax: 472-952). Surinaamse Volkscrediet Bank (VCB), Steenbakkerijstraat 2, Paramaribo (tel: 472-616; fax: 472-616). Central bank Centrale Bank van Suriname, PO Box 1080, Waterkant 16-20, Paramaribo (tel: 473-741; fax: 476-444; e-mail: [email protected]). Travel information Surinam Airways, PO Box 2029, Coppenamestraat 136, Paramaribo (tel: 465-700; fax: 491-213). Ministry of tourism Ministry of Transport, Communication and Tourism, Prins Hendrikstraat 26-28, Paramaribo (tel: 420-422; fax: 420-425). National tourist organisation offices Surinam Tourism Foundation, Dr JF Nassylaan 2, Paramaribo; PO Box 656, Paramaribo (tel: 410-357; fax: 477-786; email: [email protected] (marketing department) or [email protected] (secretary’s division); internet: www.sr.net/users/stsur). Ministries Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Cultuurtuinlaan, Paramaribo (tel: 474-177; fax: 470-301). Ministry of Defence, Kwattaweg 29, Paramaribo (tel: 474-244; fax: 420-055). Ministry of Economic Affairs, Kleine Waterstraat 4, Paramaribo (tel: 75-080). Ministry of Education, Dr. F. Kaffiludistraat 117-123, Paramaribo (tel: 498-383; fax: 495-083). Ministry of Finance, Onafhandelijkheidsplein 3, Paramaribo (tel: 472-619; fax: 476-314). Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gravenstraat 6-8, Paramaribo (tel: 471-209; fax: 410-851). 1441 Nations of the World: A Political, Economic and Business Handbook Ministry of Justice and Police, Gravenstraat 1, Paramaribo (tel: 473-033; fax: 412-109). fax: 202-244-5878; e-mail: [email protected]). President of the Republic of Suriname, Onafhankelijkheidsplein, Paramaribo (tel: 472-841; fax: 475-266). Vereniging Surinaams Bedrijfsleven (Suriname Trade and Industry Association), Prins Hendrikstraat 18, PO Box 111, Paramaribo (tel: 475-286/7; fax: 472-287). Vice President and Council of Ministers, Dr. S. Redmondstraat, 1e Etage, Paramaribo (tel: 474-805; fax: 472-917). Internet sites De Ware Tijd (English bulletin available): http://www.dwt.net Ministry of Planning and International Co-operation, Dr. S Redmondstraat 118, Paramaribo (tel: 473-628; fax: 421-056). Other useful addresses Algemene Aannemers Vereniging (AAV), Gravenstraat 73, Paramaribo (tel: 478-419; fax: 474-531). Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean: http://www.eclac.cl Ministry of Public Health, Gravenstraat 64, Paramaribo (tel: 474-841; fax: 410-702). Associatie van Surinaarns Bedrijfsleven (V.S.B.), Domineestraat 33 boven, Paramaribo (tel: 476-585; fax: 421-160). Organisation of American States: http://www.oas.org Ministry of Public Works, Verlengde Coppenamestraat 167, Paramaribo (tel: 462-500; fax: 464-901). Orde van Raadgavende Ingenieursbureaus in Suriname (ORIS), P.O. Box 1864, van Roosmalenstraat no. 30, Paramaribo (tel: 472-275, 474-381; fax: 474-408). Ministry of Internal Affairs, Onafhankelijkheidsplein 2, Paramaribo (tel: 476-461; fax: 421-170). Ministry of Labour, Wagenwegstraat 22, Paramaribo (tel: 477-045; fax: 410-465). Ministry of Natural Resources, Mr. Dr. J.C. de Mirandastraat 13-15, Paramaribo (tel: 473-420; fax: 472-911). Ministry of Regional Development, Van Rooseveltkade 2, Paramaribo (tel: 471-574). Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing, Waterkant 30-32, Paramaribo (tel: 472-610; fax: 470-516). Ministry of Trade and Industry, Nieuwe Haven, Paramaribo (tel: 479-886; fax: 477-602). 1442 Ministry of Transportation, Communications and Tourism, Prins Hendrikstraat 26-28, Paramaribo (tel: 420-422; fax: 470-425). Stichting Planbureau Suriname, PO Box 172, Dr S. Redmondstraat 110, Paramaribo (tel: 473-146). Suriname Embassy (USA), Suite 108, 4301 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20008 (tel: 202-244-7488; Inter-American Development Bank: http://www.iadb.org Latin World: http://www.latinworld.com Latin Trade Online: http://www.latintrade.com Republic of Suriname homepage: http://www.sr.net.srnet/InfoSurinam