Suriname’s economic trajectory for 2025-2030, as outlined in President Jennifer Simons’ New Year address to the Association of Economists in Suriname (VES), presents both ambitious frameworks and substantial implementation concerns according to VES Secretary Swami Girdhari. While acknowledging the macroeconomic consistency of the presidential vision, which appropriately emphasized the crucial interconnection between fiscal policy, monetary measures, and structural reforms, Girdhari highlighted significant gaps in practical execution details.
The address, delivered during a 45-minute presentation, successfully established broad policy contours but fell short in translating abstract concepts—including discipline, institutional strengthening, transparency, and good governance—into measurable policy choices, clear priorities, and concrete timelines. Girdhari noted that while time constraints might explain some omissions, society rightfully expects the government to provide specific operational details in the near future.
A primary concern centers on governmental implementation capacity. Many proposed policies echo previous administrations’ declarations, raising questions about Suriname’s institutional and human resource capabilities to actualize these plans. The VES supports the president’s stance that export-earned foreign exchange must serve the national economy through full repatriation, emphasizing that production enhancement and revenue generation capacity remain fundamental requirements.
Although tourism and agricultural sectors were correctly identified as key economic drivers, Girdhari observed that seven months into the administration, policy execution remains disappointing with no coherent, consistent strategy yet visible. Corruption prevention also received insufficient attention according to the VES, with merely two brief mentions in the speech contrasting sharply with daily reports about potential corruption cases from the previous administration involving LVV, Grassalco, EBS, Brownsberg, timber exports, gold smuggling, and land distribution.
Additional criticism targeted the government’s personnel management approach, where dismissing officials without proven misconduct—often while maintaining their salaries—results in financial waste and human capital underutilization. Girdhari urged creative deployment of available expertise for national development.
Regarding anticipated oil and gas revenues, the VES acknowledges the president’s correct emphasis on preparation but questions whether Suriname’s political and institutional systems possess sufficient robustness to maintain this course long-term. Ultimately, the association stresses that the president’s central promise of systemic transformation (“Kenki a Systeem”) must begin showing visible contours through tangible actions, noting that recent months’ developments haven’t yet aligned with this commitment.