The Surinamese government has appointed Marciano Djanam as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the State Health Fund (SZF), following a rigorous selection process involving over eighty candidates. This strategic decision underscores the government’s commitment to fostering professionalism, transparency, and results-driven leadership within the nation’s healthcare system. Djanam brings extensive expertise in health, safety, security, environment, and quality (HSSEQ), having led teams in both the public and private sectors. His career is marked by the implementation of international quality standards and the development of strategic policies aimed at process improvement, risk management, and sustainable governance. Known for his people-centric, analytical, and forward-thinking leadership style, Djanam holds a Master of Science in International Health and Safety Management and an MBA, complemented by advanced training in leadership, auditing, risk management, and sustainable business practices. His appointment aims to bolster the SZF—Suriname’s largest health insurer—in its mission to provide affordable and accessible healthcare. Key priorities include enhancing service quality, improving the efficiency of healthcare policy implementation, and fostering closer collaboration with healthcare providers, all while upholding human dignity as a core principle.
标签： Suriname
苏里南
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Column: Natio Uma volledig getransformeerd
The Suriname women’s football team, known as Natio Uma, is gearing up for their World Cup qualifying matches, marking a significant step in their journey to potentially compete on the global stage for the first time. Historically, neither the men’s nor women’s teams from Suriname have qualified for the World Cup, but recent transformations within the women’s squad offer renewed hope. The Surinamese Football Association has invested heavily in professional coaching and recruited players who compete at elite clubs, elevating the team’s overall quality and positioning them as serious contenders for a spot in the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. However, challenges remain due to Suriname’s low FIFA ranking and the Concacaf qualification system, which pairs the highest-ranked teams against the lowest-ranked ones, creating tough matchups. Suriname is placed in Group D alongside Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Belize, and Anguilla. While the team’s strengthened lineup suggests potential to top the group, the coach’s ability to unify the squad will be critical. Their first match is scheduled for November 28, 2025, against Anguilla. Despite early introductions of new players to the public, concerns linger over the absence of key team members, including the goalkeeper, and the lack of a warm-up match for the players to connect with fans. Additionally, the team’s preparation has been complicated by training in Europe rather than the tropical conditions they will face in the region. The management is urged to ensure the team arrives early to acclimatize. While the squad includes many debutants, some players have prior experience representing Natio Uma, albeit without success. This time, the team is expected to benefit from a fully professional setup and lessons learned from past mistakes, with hopes that organizational improvements will allow the players to focus solely on their sporting goals. The ultimate aim is to make women’s football in Suriname a compelling spectacle for fans, though expectations must remain tempered for a team still in its developmental phase.
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Staatsolie valt onder nieuw ministerie van Olie, Gas en Milieu
The government has officially enacted a sweeping reorganization of its ministerial structure through a State Decree, marking a significant shift in administrative priorities. Central to this overhaul is the establishment of the Ministry of Oil, Gas, and Environment, which consolidates policy, oversight, and regulation of the burgeoning oil sector. Notably, Staatsolie, the state-owned oil company, will now report directly to this new ministry instead of the Ministry of Natural Resources (NH).
The Ministry of Natural Resources will refocus its mandate on water management, energy supply, and natural resources, excluding oil and gas. Entities such as NV Energiebedrijven Suriname (EBS) and the Surinaamsche Waterleiding Maatschappij remain under NH, with David Abiamofo overseeing the latter.
This restructuring is part of a broader administrative reform aimed at streamlining governance and eliminating overlapping responsibilities. Several departments have been renamed, merged, or reorganized to align policies more effectively with strategic pillars such as energy, economy, digital transformation, and social inclusion.
The newly formed Ministry of Oil, Gas, and Environment, led by Patrick Brunings, will also oversee the National Oil Spill Response Plan, local content regulations, and policies addressing environmental and climate obligations. This dual focus aims to balance economic growth with ecological sustainability.
The changes are retroactively effective from July 16, 2025, as per State Decree S.B. 2025 no. 124.
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Aftrek van voorbelasting: hoe zit het nu?
The Value Added Tax (VAT) Law of 2022, which came into effect on January 1, 2023, has now become a familiar concept for entrepreneurs. However, as the Tax Administration begins its enforcement checks, it has become evident that certain aspects, particularly the deduction of input VAT, remain unclear. This article delves into the mechanics of input VAT deductions, exceptions, and why the 0% VAT rate, such as in supplies to contractors and subcontractors in the oil and gas sector, does not negate the right to deduct. Input VAT refers to the VAT paid by businesses on expenses like purchasing goods, hiring services, or office supplies. This VAT can be deducted from the tax on turnover, provided these expenses are used for taxable supplies. A fundamental principle of the VAT system is that the tax is ultimately borne by the end consumer, not the entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs act as intermediaries and can deduct the VAT paid on business expenses, provided there is a direct link to taxable supplies. Taxable supplies include goods or services subject to VAT rates like 10%, 5%, or 0%. Even supplies under the 0% rate are considered taxable, meaning input VAT on related costs remains deductible. For instance, supplies and services to contractors and subcontractors in the oil and gas sector, as per Annex 1 of the VAT Law, are subject to a 0% rate if they fall under the Petroleum Act 1990. This provision ensures that the right to deduct is preserved for suppliers or service providers. However, the 0% rate can lead to misunderstandings, with some assuming that no VAT charged means no right to deduct, which is incorrect. There are exceptions to input VAT deductions, such as expenses related to food, beverages, tobacco, gifts, staff benefits in kind, and personal cars (with some exceptions). These exclusions are legally mandated and apply to all VAT-registered businesses, including those subject to the 0% rate. In summary, input VAT is deductible if linked to taxable supplies, the 0% rate does not affect the right to deduct, and there are specific legal exceptions. Entrepreneurs must be prepared to substantiate how business expenses relate to taxable activities during Tax Administration checks.
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Eerste officiële Martial Arts-trainers ontvangen diploma in Suriname
In a landmark achievement for Suriname’s sports sector, nine individuals have become the first graduates of the country’s inaugural Martial Arts Instructor and Fitness Trainer-A program. This pioneering initiative was organized by the KIBO Sport & Health Education Foundation in collaboration with the Suriname Karate-do Association (SKA) and the Ministry of Finance and Planning. The program, which spanned eleven intensive months, combined theoretical knowledge with practical training, covering essential areas such as first aid, injury prevention, and teaching methodologies. It is the first formal training in Suriname to align martial arts instruction with internationally recognized standards, culminating in the award of the officially accredited Fitness Trainer-A diploma (NL Actief, Level 3). The graduation ceremony was attended by key figures, including Minister of Home Affairs Marinus Bee, Director of Sports Enrique Ralim, and SKA Chairman Kenneth Sijp, who lauded the initiative as a significant step toward professionalizing the sports industry. Former Dutch examiner Iwan Pengel, a special guest, presented the diploma to the top-performing graduate, Urvien Elliot. KIBO Foundation has announced plans to launch a second cohort soon, aiming to establish a sustainable and professional foundation for martial arts education in Suriname.
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Museumnacht groeit verder; bezoekers krijgen zelf de hoofdrol
The eighth edition of Suriname’s Museum Night is set to take place on Saturday, October 25, followed by Museum Day on Sunday, October 26. This year’s event promises an extraordinary cultural experience, expanding its reach across five districts with more locations than ever before. Among the highlights, visitors will have the unique opportunity to participate in a mock trial at the Court of Justice, taking on roles such as judge, defendant, lawyer, or bailiff. At the synagogue on Keizerstraat, attendees can witness a Jewish ritual bath and enjoy performances of orchestral bigi poku, Jewish pom, and wine. Organizer Astria Faneite, speaking at a press conference held at the Surinaamsch Rumhuis, noted the growing popularity of the event. “In 2014, we had three participants and around 300 visitors per location. Now, we’re seeing about 800 visitors, with over 1,000 at the synagogue,” she shared. Since 2014, Suriname has been part of this globally celebrated event, with this year’s theme being ‘Bigi Yari… and Beyond.’ Museum Night will run from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM at various venues, including Clevia Park, the Surinaamsch Rumhuis, the Court of Justice, the synagogue, the Koto Museum, Readytex Art Gallery, Villa Zapakara, and the National Archives. The following day, Museum Day will feature special bus tours to museum locations in Para, Coronie, Commewijne, and Marowijne, with registration required and transportation provided by the organizers. While most museums will offer free admission, some locations will require prior registration.
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Zoekactie naar vermiste vissers opgeschort; drenkelingen als ‘vermist’ aangemerkt
The Suriname Coast Guard has announced the suspension of the search operation for four fishermen who went missing after their vessel sank near Lareco on the evening of October 18, 2025. The decision follows two days of intensive search efforts involving aerial and maritime operations, supported by the National Army’s Marine Corps, Omni Helicopters (in collaboration with Chevron and ExxonMobil), and the Guyana Coast Guard. Despite these efforts, no survivors or bodies have been located. The incident was reported to the Coast Guard on October 20, approximately 34 hours after the vessel likely sank. Delayed reporting and inaccurate location data complicated the search, with authorities estimating that the missing individuals may have drifted up to 168 kilometers westward, potentially into Guyanese waters. The Coast Guard has officially changed the status of the fishermen to ‘missing’ and remains prepared to recover and identify any bodies that may surface in the future.
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KLM-vlucht wijkt uit naar Cayenne; ‘zieke’ luchtverkeersleiders weer in de toren
On October 22, air traffic control operations at Zanderij Airport were temporarily halted after multiple controllers simultaneously reported being ill. This unexpected situation left the control tower unmanned, forcing a KLM aircraft to divert to Cayenne, French Guiana, after circling the area multiple times. Additionally, a regional SLM flight experienced significant delays. According to reports from Starnieuws, the government held urgent discussions with the air traffic controllers’ union, SATCA, which has been pushing for the implementation of a previously submitted package of demands. Both parties have agreed on a plan to address these issues. In a swift response, replacement controllers were transported to Zanderij via helicopter, though this occurred only after the KLM flight had already diverted. The situation has since returned to normal, with the ‘sick’ controllers resuming their duties in the tower.
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Gajadien pleit bij IPU voor rechtvaardige klimaathulp
At the 151st General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva, Asis Gajadien, a prominent member of Suriname’s National Assembly and leader of the VHP party, urged the international community to bolster support for nations actively contributing to global climate protection. Gajadien highlighted Suriname’s unique position as one of the few countries worldwide with a net-negative carbon footprint, yet it faces severe humanitarian challenges due to climate change, including floods, coastal erosion, and the displacement of inland communities.
‘For Suriname, climate change is not a debate; it is a harsh reality. People are losing their homes and livelihoods. Humanitarian action must include climate financing,’ Gajadien asserted. He called for greater accessibility to climate funds like the Green Climate Fund for smaller nations, emphasizing the need for grants over loans. ‘No country should be forced into debt to protect the planet,’ he added.
Gajadien also underscored the critical role of parliaments in ensuring transparent use of resources for disaster prevention, climate adaptation, and safeguarding vulnerable communities. ‘Solidarity is not charity—it is justice,’ he concluded. ‘Suriname is ready to work with other nations to transform compassion into concrete action.’
The Surinamese parliamentary delegation, led by Rabin Parmessar (NDP party leader), is participating in the IPU assembly and related meetings in Geneva from October 19 to 23. The delegation includes Geneviève Jordan (ABOP) and is supported by Agatha Ramdass, Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly. Clerk Ruth de Windt is also attending the conference of clerks.
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Franse ambassadeur bespreekt versterking samenwerking met president Simons
The French Ambassador to Suriname, Nicolas de Lacoste, paid a courtesy visit to President Jennifer Simons at the Presidential Cabinet on Tuesday. The meeting focused on deepening bilateral cooperation and celebrating the French Days (Journées Françaises), a week-long event currently taking place in Paramaribo. Ambassador De Lacoste described the discussions as “very productive,” emphasizing the strategic importance of various themes for both nations. “We explored ways to further strengthen our ties. This week is particularly special as we celebrate French Days in Paramaribo,” he remarked. The French Days coincide with two significant milestones: Suriname’s 50th anniversary of independence and the 25th anniversary of the regional office of the Agence Française de Développement. A special exhibition at the National Archives highlights the historical and contemporary collaboration between Suriname and France. Throughout the week, a series of public activities are being held, including a cycling tour, culinary events, film screenings, a conference on the Amazon Park of French Guiana, a French market, and French language lessons at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “These activities celebrate the friendship between our peoples,” said De Lacoste, expressing hope for strong public participation.