PARAMARIBO, Suriname — Steven Debipersad, Chair of the Suriname Business Forum (SBF), said an investment climate must be deliberately built, with the government maintaining macroeconomic stability amid global pressures.
Speaking on the second day of Caribbean Energy Week in Paramaribo, Suriname, Debipersad said, “An attractive investment climate does not emerge automatically… The Government plays a key role in this endeavor but not by managing at a micro level, but by ensuring macroeconomic stability, which is more than ever a challenge given the war in West Asia and the Middle East.”
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Suriname is advancing its first offshore oil project, GranMorgu, located in Block 58 and led by TotalEnergies with co-venturer APA Corporation. The development is targeting first oil in 2028 and is expected to anchor the country’s entry into offshore oil production, increasing pressure on institutions to ensure readiness across policy, regulation, and workforce capacity.
Debipersad pointed to the need for clear policy direction and coordination across institutions. He said, “For entrepreneurs and investors, predictability is essential. Clarity regarding policy, regulation, and expectations reduces risk and increases the willingness to commit to long-term investments.”
He added that initiatives such as the Local Content Board must be viewed within a wider framework. “They are embedded within a broader economic perspective that extends beyond a single sector,” he said.
He warned that natural resources alone do not secure economic progress, stating, “Without a clear vision, strong institutions, and effective cooperation, rapid growth can lead to fragmentation and missed opportunities.”
Debipersad outlined that local companies must play a deeper role in the country’s development. “They should evolve into full-fledged partners within regional and international value chains, not only as suppliers, but as co-investors, holders of expertise, and entrepreneurs who remain relevant well beyond the oil and gas phase.”
The Suriname Business Forum was established by law in 2006 as a platform for public-private dialogue, bringing together representatives from the private sector, government, and labor unions to support economic growth, employment, and national value creation.
