PARAMARIBO, Suriname, CMC – King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands arrived here on a three-day state visit, during which officials here are signaling efforts to improve the socio-economic and political relationship with the Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries.
The King, who personally landed the Dutch government plane safely at Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport, is being accompanied by his wife, Queen Máxima, and a broadly composed Dutch business delegation representing 15 companies and institutions involved in hydraulic engineering and infrastructure, health technology, logistics, agriculture, and innovation.
“Well, good evening. I am thrilled that it has finally happened,” said Willem-Alexander on his arrival.
The state visit begins Monday with a reception at the Presidential Palace by President Jennifer Greeling-Simons, followed by a bilateral meeting between the two heads of state.
A statement here said that the 15 participating companies “represent the most important pillars of the Dutch economy, with clear starting points for cooperation with Suriname”.
During his three-day visit, the Dutch King is expected to address reparations for the slave trade.
He has in the past apologised for his country’s historical involvement in slavery and his royal family’s role. Still, neither he nor the government has directly offered financial reparations to descendants.
Numerous Surinamese and Dutch-Afro-Surinamese organizations have consistently demanded reparations from the Netherlands for its historical role in slavery. These groups argue that the official apologies offered by the Dutch government are insufficient without tangible financial and social compensation.
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