CURACAO-Curacao seeking closer trade ties with Suriname

WILLEMSTAD, Curacao, CMC – Suriname’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation, Albert Ramdin, arrives here on Monday for talks with Economic Development Minister Ruisandro Cijntje on improving trade relations between the two Dutch-speaking countries.

The Ministry of Economic Development said Ramdin would sign a Letter of Intent (LOI) together with Cijntje to initiate a negotiation process for a package of agreements in the areas of industry, commerce, and investment between Curaçao and Suriname, as well as increased technical cooperation in other relevant areas for both countries.

It said the Letter of Intent includes intentions to establish a bilateral commercial agreement in the form of a Partial Scope trade agreement between the two countries and a bilateral fiscal treaty between Curaçao and Suriname.

The authorities here said that despite the historical relations and ties between Curaçao and Suriname, the Letter of Intent marks the first time the two countries will formally establish commercial ties since 2010.

In November 2022, Curaçao hosted a trade mission from Suriname in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Development (MEO) as part of the efforts to develop the so-called Suriname – Curaçao financial corridor.

In addition to the November 2022 visit, the MEO has organized various commercial visits to Suriname over the past years to work together on concrete actions to stimulate commerce between Curaçao and Suriname, as well as commerce via Curaçao to extend beyond the region, both in the business and governmental sectors.

The LOI and other agreements are expected to be signed on Tuesday, with officials here acknowledging that Suriname, which belongs to the 15-member regional integration movement CARICOM, is a vital commercial, social, and cultural ally for Curaçao.

In addition to signing the LOI, Ramdin will pay courtesy calls on the Governor, Prime Minister, President of Parliament, and various other ministers and dignitaries. He will also engage members of the private sector.