Multi-Annual Development Plan 2022-2026 of the Republic Suriname

Conceptualize and enact law on Co-investment fund

Conceive and enact Transfer Pricing Regulation Law (in particular for the exploitation of all natural resources - especially offshore oil & gas, gold and bauxite), incorporating strategic differentiation to attract specific FDIs

Strengthen audit function of the Tax Administration for inspections of transfer pricing

Introduce "source tax" as input tax on contract value for service providers

Establishment of a Credit Registration Office

Introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT)

Introduction of “Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, Math” in the education system

Support of the training of entrepreneurs to create better business plans

Low-cost access to direct capital investments

Public Private Partnership

Implementation of Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6)

Reduction of the cost of the new business connections

Adopt and promulgate OMNIBUS legislation for the Business Climate and Investment

Reduce the 2-month waiting period for obtaining a business license

Amend the Building Act

Reduce costs of land ownership registration

Establish an independent complaints office

Make available online the number of land disputes at the economic level

Improve the operational efficiency of Customs

Through consultation with stakeholders, arrive at a differentiated tax system that serves as an incentive to organize society in a certain way

Strengthen the NOB so that it can fill the support role to SMEs

Host the SME fund at the NOB because of its supportive role

Consolidate funds into 1 fund, with 1 board and 1 financial statement, where there are then "sub-funds". Currently, each fund has its own board (paid from the fund itself)

Build in priorities as heavy weighting factors in the fund's credit assessment

Significantly replenish funds with financial resources and promote them

Draft and implement the Law on Business clusters (draft is finished).

Establish business clusters on the right bank of the Suriname River, with a focus on logistic services to international maritime traffic, with related industries (e.g. in free zones) and service companies

The areas indicated below should be reserved by the respective ministries with the cooperation of the Ministry of GBB for the indicated business clusters to be established

Per State Decree, change the residential areas from the situation shown on the first map (on the following page) to the situation on the next map

Recognize land rights of tribal communities; indigenous organizations (e.g., the VIDS) will write a specific development plan based on this recognition

Draw up and legally enshrine zoning and structure plans

Modification of stamp duty for family transfers

Making the family transfer process easier and less expensive and properly communicating this to the public

Form interdepartmental committee to implement the above timeline of results to transform schools into training and education centers (first as a pilot, from which to scale up). Technical assistance to this end can be obtained from friendly nations such as Japan, China, Signapore, Thailand and South Korea

Based on a Terms of Reference (ToR), a public tender will be held to lease surveillance drones on a short-term basis in accordance with a long-term program

Broad involvement of all actors, including government unions and media

Succesively process, function and structure descriptions must be carried out in all ministries, with monitoring and evaluation moments, efficiency (e.g. in intra-ministerial money transactions), transparency, and prevention of corruption having a prominent role

Modalities to shed surplus civil servants must be defined and deployed. Examples are early retirement, commutation schemes, loan agreements, etc

Establishment of independent corruption hotline

Prohibition of conflicts of interest, such as multiple government salaries, board positions of (top) officials in political parties, etc

Adoption and promulgation of the New Civil Code Act (already in draft form)

Adoption and promulgation of the Government Information Act regulating what the government must do in public

Adoption and promulgation of the General Administrative Law Act, which indicates how administrative bodies must behave towards citizens and what decisions and administrative procedures are available to citizens, such as objection and appeal to the courts

Transparent sale of 49% of shares in utilities, and full and transparent privatization of all other state-owned companies (former Surland, Melkcentrale, Alliance, etc.) under proper conditions, whereby anyone (individuals, but also, for example, pension funds) can buy shares

Use the Suriname Business Forum to channel questions, comments, suggestions, etc. from various interest groups from the entrepreneurial field to the government for quick respons

Outsource various tasks in a PPP context to the private sector (weighbridges, maintenance of parks, squares and monumental buildings, ferry connections, packing house, etc.)

Actively and structurally facilitate NGOs, CBOs and traditional authorities in order to deploy them where the government is unable to fulfill its task, such as protection of natural areas, community policing, neighborhood development, shelter for the homeless, etc

Create opportunities for districts to raise their own funds in a legal manner, including through capacity building (training, manuals, processes, etc.)

Apply the co-government duties in current situation based on Article 1 of the Spatial Planning Act allowing much more to be done by the district commissioners and board

The government has recently proven that a small team can be used at the Central Office for Civil Affairs (with 43 offices nationwide) to digitize small processes that have a major impact on its customers, namely digitizing the request for extracts needed at certain institutions, such as banks. This same team should be used to digitize (relatively simple) processes one by one in the same successful way

The strategy set out in this Development Plan must be promoted by the government through its embassies and consuls abroad. The Ministry of BIBIS must be clear in this matter by forging good partnerships with the various line ministries in order to achieve international cooperation through the foreign posts, which will give substance to the strategic action points per ministry as included in this document

Suriname has committed itself - as part of the "Paris Agreement" - to the establishment of the Nationally Determined Contribution NDC’s

Building financial resilience and investing in preparedness (disaster relief, health care, and social safety nets) are critical to reducing the large human and economic costs resulting from climate change

Public Private Partnership (PPP) for waste management and treatment, where the possibilities for a nationwide system of separate waste collection and a formalized infrastructure for reuse of waste (recyclable waste) are the necessary requirements and a "Sanitary Landfill" set up according to international requirements

Introduction of a deposit for plastic and glass packaging materials (research has shown that with an investment of 2-3 million USD, almost 60% of these packing materials can be recycled)

Introduction of harsher penalties for environmental crimes (e.g. uncontrolled burning of waste)

Establishment of an Environmental Authority responsible for the technical implementation of environmental policy, with the means to take corrective and incentive action

Drafting and promulgation of waste law to regulate collection and disposal

Establishment of a monitoring station in the sea off the coast of Suriname

Conversion of NDCs into concrete projects by the ministries

PPPs with local and international NGOs with co-management of local populations of natural areas - and their biodiversity

Introduce "carbon tax" on greenhouse gas emissions of multinational actors in the extractive non-renewable sectors, such as oil & gas, gold, bauxite, etc

Adoption of Nature Protection Act (already in draft)

A Makerspace must be designed, built and commissioned (a FabLab costs about US$500,000)

The ICT sector should be stimulated with very favorable tariffs on device imports. This can be done by removing the levy imposed in 2017 on imported ICT products

A system of incentives must be set up for organizations to host local content in Suriname

A specific location for local ICT companies, which together form a cluster organization. 

An Internet Exchange Point should be set up in PPP form

There should be a level playing field between telecom service providers and the owners of (entry/exit) infrastructure (especially the international sea cables); to this end, as in the energy sector, Telesur should be split up

Use of IPv6 will have to become a fact; a survey must be carried out of all firm-, soft-, and hardware present that needs to be upgraded or even replaced

5G wireless technology can have a major impact on productivity and value creation for businesses. A plan for this needs to be put in place for the entire territory

The government should initiate gamification events (possibly in PPP context) that can contribute to solving social issues (possibly with the help of foreign partners).

Suriname, with its cheap labor force and multilingualism, has a unique opportunity to expand Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector

Adoption and implementation of norms and standards: to ensure the quality of the services and products offered, concepts of norms and standards for lodges, apartments, etc., and linked to the CrossQ Caribbean standards, have been prepared

Adoption of the Tourism Authority Act (and the Tourism Framework Act): the Act should be provided with clear mandates for the authority to conduct inspections for compliance with norms and standards, with fines in cases of non-compliance

Promotion: funds should be spent annually on promotion of Suriname's tourism product through participation in various trade shows in major tourist-generating countries, promotion through social media and the Internet, billboards, television spots, etc

Establishing a tourism cluster in a PPP context

Set up Tourism Satellite Account System

Forest operation certification

Encourage wood processing instead of roundwood exports

Non-timber forest products (NTFP)

Designate a geographical location for wood processing plants

Transform SBB into an authority (including by amendment of the Forest Law) with the right to intervene more quickly when actors are not certified or do not comply with the rules for certification and illegality is detected

Switch to subject subsidy for milk, and let the milk  depend on supply and demand (possibly linked to the international price of milk powder)

Carry out a complete assessment of the export logistics, addressing the issues identified

The cultivation of high quality nutritious grasses and moringa for the production of feed for livestock, poultry and fish (as import replacement and potential export) to the southeast of Paranam. This production model is import replacement, already completely worked out, and is also made available for multiplication

Conduct agricultural census

Operationalize residue and veterinary laboratory

Establish a guarantee fund for credit insurance

Expand butcher training to include research and grower training

Offer (funding for) Global GAP certification (possibly using NOB's Technical Assistance Fund)

Improve training of and outreach to farmers in PPP context (possibly with foreign assistance from e.g. The Netherlands, Israel and China)

Establish an identification, registration and traceability system for the livestock sector

Adequate labeling

Establish business clusters for fruit/horticulture (Groningen), livestock (Reeberg), and possibly poultry

Establish branch of EMBRAPA (Brazilian agricultural research institute

Establishment of business clusters for the benefit of the rice sector

Introduce research output-dependent subsidy for ADRON, CELOS and ADEK to conduct scientific research for the benefit of the rice sector

Establish business cluster for aquaculture

Set up incentive system for processing companies (e.g. producers of frozen products)

Issuing health certificates by the Fish Inspection Institute

Improve fisheries data collection and research to produce stock estimates

Reduce impacts on the marine ecosystem from the fishing industry through the use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TED) and Bycatch Reduction Devices (BRD)

Decentralizing fish inspection and control of fish catches at the various landing sites

Increase food safety awareness through training to stakeholders

Address illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities through the establishment of IOO task force units at strategic locations

Intensive regional and international cooperation regarding transboundary fish stocks and fisheries control

Application of modern fishing technologies and methods, and MSC standards

The informal gold sector needs to be (re)organized

Specific areas must be designated for small-scale mining, in order to limit further damage to the environment and health

Identify what rights have been issued and see what the options are for revocation, especially in the case of inactivity

Establish a rehabilitation plan for those areas already degraded, which can be implemented through internationally available funds

Serious options should therefore be explored for setting up a Surinamese gold company (in line with the experience with the State Oil Company), or at least buying a substantial share from the foreign companies currently carrying out exploration activities

The mining law dates back to 1984 and needs to be updated / renewed

Implementation of gold mining without the use of toxic substances (the knowledge is already in Suriname), with in particular a phase out of the use of mercury

Continue on- and near-shore explorations, whether in joint ventures or not

Implement cost reduction measures to remain a 1st quartile producer

Strengthen internal organization to remain a 1st quartile producer and to retain talent with the expected increase in demand for workers in the oil and gas industry

Perform value chain analyses per (high value) product

Facilitation and encouragement of local producers, with certain goods (investment goods, raw materials and semi-manufactured goods) receiving a reduction or exemption from import duties, tariffs for goods that compete with local production being raised (if possible), and standards being set for the import of certain goods Current non-mining export sectors, including manufacturing, process, services (tourism, ICT), and agro-industry sectors can be supported

Broadening of HS codes from 8 to 10 digits for transparency of the flow of goods

Work should be done to interconnect the East-West link with the road system of our neighboring countries

Establishment of multiple public transport hubs,which will ensure that passenger and freight policies are tailored to the potentials and needs of the various regions

Transform the public transport system from a non-consolidated to a consolidated system, with the National Transport Company as the operational manager of the buses deployed by third parties

Supply and delivery via the port ‘Nieuwe Haven’ should be improved by the already elaborated redesign of the van 't Hogerhuysstraat

With the arrival of a number of shore bases, and within the framework of this development plan business clusters, the role of N.V. Havenbeheer will extend over several locations. To this end, it is important that in time N.V. Havenbeheer, as previously stated for Telesur and N.V. Energie Bedrijven Suriname, is split up: 1 entity responsible for the management of the port ‘Nieuwe Haven’, and 1 entity responsible for the control of the various ports and terminal operators. The latter is the Port Authority, and a law needs to be conceived for this purpose

Adoption of the Port Law

Comprehensive maritime legislation is required in view of the expected increase in maritime activity related to offshore activities. This maritime legislation will cover safety requirements for vessels, environmental provisions, etc

Support of the curriculum of the School of Logistics Training at the primary school level

The development of a port community system that allows stakeholders to communicate electronically on a common platform. The implementation of this system should be coupled with a training program that enables stakeholders to fully utilize this program

To improve flight safety, combat cross-border crime and accessibility to communities in the interior, the runways of strategic airports will be extended and paved as necessary

Improving air traffic facilities at airports to enhance security (possibly in PPP context), particularly radar systems that allow overflight zones

Invest in JAP airport facilities to attract airlines, along with the other measures in this Development Plan 2022-2026 that generate airlift

Prepare the necessary legislation to prohibit the cutting of mangrove and parwa forests (draft Coastal Protection Act is already in place) and to restore them, so as to preserve the natural coastal strip and estuarine zones, as protection against the influences of climate change

The 2009 Pantheia transportation study should be implemented in an updated form

By law, it should be required that in the conditions for parceling of land, an approved road and dewatering plan is included. This should include the design and implementation of clear dewatering districts

The construction of pumping stations and dewatering pumps will be undertaken with the same vigor as the clearing and excavation of main dewatering channels

In the framework of the business production clusters the following access must be created in the long term (where possible in PPP with the same production clusters):
a) Lelydorp – Groningen
b) Groot-Chatillon – Stolkertsijver
c) Peperpot – Groot Chatillon

The improvement of existing and construction of new North-South and East-West access roads will facilitate more efficient transport and unlock (potential) development areas. The improvement and complementing of the second East-West connection Apoera - Zanderij - Carolina - Patamacca - Langa Tabbetje will expand the economic possibilities

Conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy projects, as well as projects where possible offshore gas resources may play a role

“Consolidating the sustainability of the energy sector" project funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (US$30 million). This includes start-up and operationalization of the EAS, restructuring of the EBS, dispute resolution, and preparation of an Energy Sector Plan (ESP)

Adjustment of the electricity law, whereby autoproducers are not bound to a 50-50 supply-and-take quantity to the EPAR system

Set up a guarantee fund at the CBvS with incentives for commercial banks (or only NOB) to provide financial products which pre-finance investments (purchase and installation) in renewable energy (mainly solar panels) for customers

Establish efficiency standards and incorporate them into standards for housing, spatial planning, road networks, etc

Set up micro grids for villages in the interior (including through the India credit line)

Reduce the cost for new business connections

Phase out object subsidy and go to subject subsidy where necessary; this also leads to healthier operations to make investments

Expand the number of projects, especially in the interior, to purify surface water for consumption

Start with the replacement, expansion and rehabilitation of the water supply network in the various districts

Adoption of the four water laws (Drinking Water Quality Control Act, Groundwater Act, Groundwater Protection Areas and Water Authority Act), to implement Integrated Water Resources Management and protect groundwater

Implementation of programs for protection from hazardous substances (for example) mercury, pesticides, herbicides and other harmful substances, application of environmentally friendly methods that do not contaminate drinking water resources and participation in international cooperation around relevant environmental and climate treaties

More ships will purchase (drinking) water. For this - and, by extension, the export of water - proper policies must be made regarding supply, prices, quantities, etc.

Implementation of feasibility study on water requirements 2040

Establish inter-ministerial working group on implementation of NRA recommendations with a clear mandate and with direct reporting and accountability to the Cabinet of the President

Prioritize NRA recommendations and prepare an implementation plan by the working group

Through a Basic Bank Account Act, enable every citizen to open an account, promoting financial inclusion while facilitating digitization of government and other transactions

Establish a system of incentives for non-cash transactions to be implemented through the business community

Gradual implementation of cashless payments for social benefits

Establish guarantee fund as an incentive for offering riskier products, especially credit insurance and operating leases

Establish credit registration agency with clearly defined processes

Implementation of Value Added Tax

Through a deposit guarantee, give citizens more confidence in the banking system, once the banking system is strengthened

Unify and simplify tax legislation through the General Law on Customs, General Law on Taxation and Tax Collection Law

Connecting information databases at the Tax Administration with other databases, such as at the banking and insurance industry, MI-GLIS, etc

Through financial inclusion, all financial assistance, such as assistance to people with disabilities and socially vulnerable households and Covid-19 assistance, is transferred through a debit card system to a bank account

Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT) as an instrument for poverty reduction is mainly focused on the development of human capital by investing in health, education and nutrition

The problem of homelessness can be solved by offering facilities and resources, including the establishment of a center for the target group in the context of PPP

The employment problem can be solved by providing a large job bank for the job seekers that is focused on their level of education and skills

Prevention and protection of people with disabilities can be achieved through the use of preventive and educational programs, where the causes for physical, visual and psychological impairment are examined.

Regularly (every 1 to 2 years) determine a new minimum wage and poverty line and publish an updated report "Poverty Line Suriname”

Implement the "Mi Sa Taki" freely transl. ‘I will make myself heard’ project, a nationwide approach spread over years to counter violence against children

Expanding detection and enforcement of public order and safety through the adoption and promulgation of the Special Investigative Powers Act

The department in charge of cybercrime must be substantially equipped and trained

Special attention should be paid to tackling juvenile crime, whereby the police work with municipalities, the Public Prosecutor, Youth Protection department, the education system and NGOs to offer criminal youths family counseling or other help

Awareness programs will be provided by networks and there will be greater involvement of all parties (e.g. government, NGOs) to provide assistance to victims of domestic violence

There is a resocialization plan drafted for the duration of 5 years (May 1, 2020-1 May 2025), whereby detainees are used for various activities, both inside and outside the institution.

Implementation of phase 2 of the Safe City project

The preparation of food weighs heavily on the budget of the Ministry of Justice and Police

Cooperation agreements to heavily increase joint exercises with armies from other countries in the interior

Information on preventing fires provided by KBS within the educational system and other agencies on the early prevention of fires

The aim is to have a independent budget for the Judiciary in the near future

Processes at the Judiciary must be described and reviewed

Educate and train judges, clerks, legal assistants and support staff

A (financial) review of work processes and cash flows within the health care sector, including hospitals, for rationalization and solving the structural funding shortfall in the health care sector

Provide clarity to the private sector on the purport of the Basic Health Insurance Act and control of compliance with their insurance obligations, in order to increase the low percentage of GDP that the private sector spends on health care

Resume the Health in all Policies program, ensuring that the preventive health approach is reflected in the policy formulation and implementation of all ministries

In Public-Private Partnerships, introduce more public sports facilities, which are spread out and accommodate different sports

Investigate and eliminate causes of failure to provide physical education in schools

At all levels, measure, compare, and report athletic and educational performance of individuals

Establish partnerships with NGOs, institutions and organizations (schools, boarding schools, ressort and neighborhood organizations, districts and inter-districts, civil servants and business associations) and companies to organize sport events aimed at different target groups, such as youth, elderly, people with disabilities, etc

There should be a structural shift from secondary and tertiary health care to primary health care, where in addition to prevention, early identification of diseases is important for professional guidance. For efficiency (the affordability of care), this requires standardization, protocol, as well as regulation of the various care products, in order to ensure the quality of care provided

Introduce "sugar tax" to discourage consumption of sugary products

Decentralization of educational system to make educational matters more efficient

Full operationalization of Suriname National Training Authority (SNTA) so that delivered framework meets requirements set nationally, regionally and internationally

Rationalization of accreditation fees

Establish and operationalize an Education Center to 'up-date' learning resources and technology for use in education and to align with the needs of children, talent development, contributions to self-esteem, etc

Incorporate aspects of STREAM and soft skills development into primary, secondary and tertiary education in order to increase children and adolescents' affinity for creativity, increase self-responsibility and active learning, and successful teamwork

Offer BSc and MSc at AdeKUS in the fields of information and communication technology, tourism, supply chain management, international agri-business, and other studies that support the development of the aforementioned policy areas

Set up and operationalize educational information system with a student tracking system, especially to reduce the number of dropouts

Update laws and regulations to improve, among other things, participation in education but also to leave control of informal education to (recognized) professional federations

Making a shift to distance education, due to the lack of any prospects regarding the pandemic, competition from institutions from abroad, letting children enjoy education, incorporating extra curricular activities, and the costliness of providing traditional education in the interior. Through "digital proctoring," online platforms, and collaborations with NGOs and the business community, and learning from pilots that are already in place, this can be accomplished relatively quickly in one area, and then expanded to other location

Faster mutual payment transactions between banks and with the Central Bank, thus avoiding stagnation in transfers – and all associated frustrations

Recapitalization of the Central Bank of Suriname

Strengthening of commercial banks, through recapitalization and reform, after an analysis conducted by a third party, and after the adoption of a Bank Resolution Act (which also defines the mandate of the CBvS), and improving the Bank and Credit Supervision Act

The CBvS will establish an operating permanent facility to provide liquidity to banks facing a temporary shortfall

Strengthen independent position Central Bank of Suriname, whereby there is transfer of all powers from the Foreign Exchange Commission to the Central Bank of Suriname

Strengthen cooperation between monetary authorities with respect for each other's competences

Adequate implementation of existing legislation, including Planning Act, Urban Planning Act, Agricultural Act, Nature Conservation Act, Nuisance Act and Building Act. Introduce sanctions for violation of these laws

Database of spatial and environmental information

Composition of the Spatial Planning Act, the framework for the physical planning of Surinamese territory

Increase resilience to flooding by constructing basins in low-lying areas to collect rainwater to prevent or minimize flooding, and by regularly maintaining waterways (canals, ditches, etc.) to prevent siltation

Deployment through PPPs of water cabs and water buses for passenger transport / optimal utilization of Suriname's waterways for transportation of people and goods

Listing and registration of public lands

Maintenance of public lands in PPP context

Continuation and expansion of successful programs, especially 7% financing and LISP

Adoption of the Apartment Rights Act, which will stimulate the supply of apartments, making housing accessible especially for young people (and the elderly)

Supporting Foundation for Labor Mobilization and Development (SAO) and Foundation for Productive Work Units (SPWE) to implement training and education program for the benefit of the construction industry

Start housing projects in a PPP contexton a small scale and then expand after evaluation

Draft legislation/regulation regarding housing is already in place which, among other things, allows the establishment of a Housing Authority

With the offshore oil discoveries, an influx of foreign expats is expected; to prevent all employment in this sector from being filled by foreign workers, but also for the state treasury to benefit from this, it is advisable to substantially increase the fees for work permits

(When applying for a work permit,) making an integration course mandatory for foreigners who are not proficient in the Dutch language and do not have basic knowledge of Surinamese society

Shorter procedures (including for work permits) for highly skilled migrants who are employable in various manufacturing sectors and in higher education

Conceive and implement a mechanism for the so-called "citizenship by investment” in the Surinamese system