I.  Commercial Overview

-Overview of Import Market

A small, but relatively wealthy country, covering an area the size of the
state of Georgia, Suriname is 90 percent rain forest.  Its 400,000 people --
of mainly East Indian, African, and Indonesian descent -- boast high
living standards and impressive indicators of social development.
Imports account for more than 80 percent of consumption in Suriname.
These come mostly from Europe and North America.   The United States is
Suriname's most important trading partner.  In 1992, U.S. exports to
Suriname totalled $139 million, over two-fifths of Surinamese imports.

-Commercial Environment

U.S. exporters to Suriname report largely positive experiences.
Surinamese middle and upper class consumption patterns mirror those in
the U.S. and other Western markets.  Exports of heavy machinery and
inputs for the agricultural sector also tend to do well.  While it is often
difficult to locate local distributors, Surinamese retailers are very
active.  Since the market is relatively small, most exporters find it more
convenient to build relationships with retail firms rather than establish
a distribution system. There is low incidence of fraud and malfeasance in
the retail sector.

-Host Country Business Attitude toward the U.S.

The affinity for U.S. products is growing, largely due to the ubiquitous
influence of American culture.  Surinamese businesses have extensive
experience dealing with American businesses, and often prefer to do so.

-Major Business Opportunities

The reopening of the interior presents a number of opportunities for
natural resource development.  Among these are wood harvesting and
processing, gold, kaolin, and building/decorative stone mining and
tourism.  The state oil company, Staatsolie is planning to build a small
refinery in the near future.

-Major Roadblocks to Doing Business

Several obstacles remain, however.  There is a chronic shortage of credit
in the local banking system.  International transfers can be delayed due
to convertibility difficulties.  Suriname has no tradition of large
distribution networks.  Therefore, it is difficult to find a satisfactory
distributor.  Although the government continues to liberalize and
streamline the process, licensing requirements can hinder trade flows.
The system does not usually prevent exports, but delays and
complications are a constant irritation to foreign exporters.

-Nature of Local and Third Country Competition

Traditional imports from Europe -- especially consumer goods and
foodstuffs -- are being replaced by American products.  Foreign
competition comes from European exporters -- largely Dutch firms -- a
few Asian suppliers and exporters from the region, mostly Brazil.