The economy of Suriname offers you many opportunities. Interested in doing business in Suriname? Get well-prepared before you start. Study the market: how does exporting to Suriname work, where can you find information about CSR, and how can you find a reliable business partner? The Surinamese economy is largely dependent on the export of commodities such as oil, gold, and wood. Additionally, the export of fish and rice is also important for the economy. Opportunities for Dutch entrepreneurs currently lie in niche markets, such as outsourcing.

There are various interesting opportunities for Dutch entrepreneurs, especially in the following sectors:

• Health & Welfare
• Education | Technical Education
• Tourism
• Real Estate Development
• Architecture
• Environment
• Port Development
• Infrastructure (Road Construction)
• ICT Infrastructure
• Offshore
• Construction
• Maritime
• Logistics
• Agriculture
• Business Consultancy & Business Development

Below are a few highlighted sectors.

Oil and gas

Off the coast of Suriname, there are enormous gas and oil fields. French Total Energies, American APA Corporation, and Malaysian Petronas are quickly starting the exploitation of these fields. The entire oil production is estimated to yield 700 million barrels. Suriname is expected to earn $26 billion from this oil production in the first 20 years.

These developments are positive for economic growth and direct/indirect jobs in the Surinamese oil sector.

Outsourcing of customer services

More and more Dutch companies are choosing to place a part of their customer service in Suriname through outsourcing. This industry has been growing rapidly for a number of years. In 2024, there were 29 outsourcing companies active in Suriname. It is estimated that currently 5,000-6,000 people work in this sector.

Outsourcing to Suriname has many benefits:

Labor costs are low.

The language in Suriname is Dutch.

Due to the time difference, you can offer your services for longer hours.

Agriculture

Suriname has a lot of fertile land. The country has been trying for years to boost local agricultural production. This is a challenging process.

There are many opportunities for Dutch entrepreneurs in this sector. Significant investments are required. Additionally, you should also consider:

Insufficient labor force.

Lack of innovative technologies.

Lack of legislation regarding land rights of indigenous and tribal peoples.

Weakened government organizations.

Outdated infrastructure.

The Surinamese agriculture sector is seeking knowledge on seed development and making crops disease-resistant. The sector uses a lot of pesticides, which hinders access to the European market.

Tourism

The Surinamese tourism sector is still in its infancy. Although the country doesn’t have white sandy beaches and azure blue sea, it has several advantages such as tropical rainforests, mangrove forests, large nature reserves, diverse cultures, and a historic downtown listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Surinamese tourism sector offers opportunities for Dutch entrepreneurs. Operating in this sector presents challenges such as the poor infrastructure, but there are plenty of opportunities in niche markets within the tourism industry.

Tenders and subsidies

The Surinamese Ministry of Public Works has a list of interesting tenders.

There are also opportunities with tenders from major international organizations like the World Bank and the European Union. You can read more about this on the Subsidies and Funding for International Business page.