PARAMARIBO, Suriname – A pivotal CEO Roundtable and exposition took place on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at the Assuria Hermitage High-Rise, significantly advancing social and economic cooperation between Suriname and the Netherlands. The high-level event brought together prominent business leaders from both nations, alongside ministers, and was graced by the presence of President Jennifer Simons, King Willem-Alexander, and Queen Máxima, powerfully underscoring the commitment to an intensive bilateral dialogue. The Suriname Investment & Trade Agency (SITA) proudly participated in this crucial forum, facilitating discussions aimed at enhancing Suriname’s attractiveness for international trade and investment.
The CEO Roundtable focused on critical themes designed to bolster the economic landscape, including strengthening economic cooperation, improving the investment climate, fostering talent development, building labor capacity, and accelerating the transition to a sustainable economy. The gathering provided an invaluable platform for direct and concrete discussions among companies, policymakers, and institutional partners from both countries, identifying tangible opportunities for collaboration.
President Simons, who addressed the concluding segment of the event, emphasized the strategic importance of the Suriname-Netherlands partnership for investors and businesses looking at the region:
“In the cooperation between the Netherlands and Suriname, our business communities have always maintained strong contact. Suriname stands at a new juncture, presenting numerous fresh opportunities and significant interest from global players. Our shared language, legal commonalities, and historical ties logically position the Netherlands as a key partner in this journey,” stated the Surinamese head of state.
President Simons further underscored Suriname’s commitment to economic diversification and the strategic importance of local content, crucial factors for investors seeking long-term growth. “Our oil and gas developments are set to provide the financing backbone for building a resilient Surinamese economy. While we are a small nation, the 15 million inhabitants of CARICOM offer a substantial market for our products. We must collectively explore avenues to enhance Surinamese product access to the Netherlands and define the necessary standards for market entry.” The President also reaffirmed Suriname’s dedication to improving the ease of doing business, retaining local talent, and strengthening the business community across both continents. “I believe the business community on both sides of the ocean can contribute immensely. I am pleased with what you have discussed and that we can move forward based on that.”
Following the formal discussions, numerous meetings took place between Surinamese and Dutch companies, with SITA representatives actively engaging with potential partners. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima personally conversed with various participants, exploring joint opportunities and ongoing initiatives in trade, investment, and sustainable development. Minister Melvin Bouva of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, and Cooperation stated that the primary objective of the meeting was to reinforce the position of the private sector within the state visit. “Surinamese and Dutch companies had the unique opportunity to exchange ideas with each other, and with the President and ministers present, on their activities, mutual relations, cooperation possibilities, challenges, and opportunities.”
The invaluable insights gathered from the business community have been presented to President Simons and relevant policymakers, forming the basis for future strategic development. Furthermore, the private sector itself is committed to translating these discussions into action. The event successfully fostered an environment conducive to continued collaboration between the Association of Surinamese Businesses (VSB) and the Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers (VNO-NCW), paving the way for a more integrated and prosperous bilateral economic future, ripe with trade and investment prospects for both nations. SITA is ready to facilitate and eagerly looks forward to supporting new investors in the non-extractive sectors, helping to diversify and strengthen Suriname’s economic landscape.
Source: Communicatie Dienst Suriname – CDS
