Suriname
The original report was published in the Miami Herald on Friday, August 31, 2012
 Desiré Delano Bouterse, President of Suriname A Pivotal Catalyst for Unity in the Caricom Region
1
|
|
The government used its six-month chairmanship of Caricom to spur further economic and commercial unity in the region and highlight Suriname's accessibility to major markets for foreign investors
0
|
|
Ratings agencies praise astute fiscal policies that have stabilized the economy and foreign exchange rates, boosted reserves, raised industrial production, increased exports, and balanced the economy
1
|
|
After the Spanish discovery of America, many Europeans were attracted to Suriname, the land where, according to legend, the city of gold known as 'El Dorado' was situated. Currently, Suriname is in the process of putting together a geophysical map that would contain the different indications of minerals in the soil
2
|
|
Suriname's state oil company aims to beat its 2011 record profit
1
|
|
he company's new refinery should be operational by 2014
1
|
|
With over 90% of its landmass covered by forests and benefiting from negligible deforestation, Suriname is creating solutions for sustainable timber harvesting with environmental protection
2
|
|
With a vast endowment in rich soil, optimal climate and privileged geographical position, agriculture remains vital to Suriname's national socioeconomic development.
A five-year medium-term plan targets the agricultural sector as one of prime importance, as reflected in the Agricultural Support Program (ASP)
1
|
 Improving the nation’s connectivity with better infrastructure will help boost Suriname’s tourism industry, which is looking to capitalize on the country’s spectacular beauty and incredible natural diversity Suriname is capitalizing on its excellent location to boost regional transportation
0
|
|
Surinam Airways connects the U.S. and Caricom with new options for flights to Miami
2
|
|
Suriname is gearing up to be a regional transportation
hub, with the construction and rehabilitation of key infrastructure
2
|
|
The smallest country in South America blends a fascinating diversity
with the magic of the Amazon rainforest
0
|
 The architecture of Paramaribo’s Courtyard by Marriott is in harmony with the Dutch-colonial buildings of ‘the wooden city of the Caribbean’ Whether for business or pleasure guests truly enjoy a stay at the Courtyard by Marriott in Paramaribo
1
|
|
|
 Leaders from the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) meet annually to strengthen regional alliances As a member of both UNASUR and Caricom, Suriname is committed to encouraging deeper regional ties
2
|
|
Suriname enjoys social and economic stability, and boasts one of the lowest public debt profiles in the region, which is fortunate, as financing the national reconstruction plan will take international teamwork and public-private partnerships.
1
|
 Jim Hok Minister of Natural Resources Minister of Natural Resources Jim Hok speaks about the significance of Suriname's minerals
1
|
|
Hedi Infra Inc., a 100% Surinamese company, has emerged as the partner of choice for Latin American and North American companies interested in horizontal drilling and infrastructure in the Caribbean
2
|
|
Offshore Suriname is unexploited, with only 25 wells drilled in an area of 150,000 km2
0
|
|
A Masters in Petroleum Geology is available from Faculty of Technological Sciences
2
|
 Parts of Suriname’s vast rainforest coverage contain some of the last true wildernesses on the planet New species of flora and fauna are still being discovered in Suriname
0
|
|
The abundance of nature, growth and possibilities merge together in the projected investment opportunities in the agriculture sector
0
|
|
Traymore Docks revitalized an obsolete terminal in Moengo, converting it into the port of choice for mining and timber companies active in the area
0
|
|
Suriname is encouraging Caribbean governments to adopt further development of ICT as a priority and achieve regional and global connectivity by 2015
0
|
 Tesora Kartodikromo Business Manager of WTEC Solé Ready to work with foreign multinationals, WTEC Solé is looking beyond earthmoving, mining and timber to develop communities
1
|
|
This pristine park is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including jaguars, sloths and primates
0
|
|
As Suriname has protected its natural beauty, it is now prepared to be a top South American eco-tourism destination.
0
|
|
|
|
 
 
 
LOCATION:
Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between French Guiana and Guyana
AREA:
total: 163,820 sq km
CLIMATE:
tropical; moderated by trade winds
NATURAL RESOURCES:
timber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, iron ore
LANGUAGES:
Dutch (official), English (widely spoken), Sranang Tongo (Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki, is native language of Creoles and much of the younger population and is lingua franca among others), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese
RELIGIONS:
Hindu 27.4%, Protestant 25.2% (predominantly Moravian), Roman Catholic 22.8%, Muslim 19.6%, indigenous beliefs 5%
POPULATION:
491,989 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
GOVERNMENT TYPE:
constitutional democracy
CAPITAL:
name: Paramaribo
INDEPENDENCE:
25 November 1975 (from the Netherlands)
LEGAL SYSTEM:
civil law system influenced by Dutch civil law; note - the Commissie Nieuw Surinaamse Burgerlijk Wetboek completed drafting a new civil code in February 2009
GDP (official exchange rate):
$3.682 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 10.8%
industry: 24.4%
services: 64.8% (2005 est.)
AGRICULTURE - products:
paddy rice, bananas, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts; beef, chickens; shrimp; forest products
INDUSTRIES:
bauxite and gold mining, alumina production; oil, lumbering, food processing, fishing
EXPORTS:
$1.477 billion (2010 est.)
IMPORTS:
$1.334 billion (2010 est.)
AIRPORTS:
51 (2010)
PORTS AND TERMINALS:
Paramaribo, Wageningen
|
