Suriname–United States relations

Last updated
Surinamese–American relations
Suriname USA Locator.svg
Flag of Suriname.svg
Suriname
Flag of the United States.svg
United States

Diplomatic relations between the United States and Suriname were established on 23 January 1976. [1] Suriname has an embassy in Washington, D.C. since 1976, [2] and a consulate in Miami. [3] The United States had a consulate in Paramaribo since 25 November 1975, the date of independence [4] which was upgraded to an embassy on 18 February 1976. [5]

Contents

History

Mrs. Sardjoe-Biharie, Michelle Obama, Vice President Ramdien Sardjoe and President Barack Obama (2009) Ramdien Sardjoe with Obamas.jpg
Mrs. Sardjoe-Biharie, Michelle Obama, Vice President Ramdien Sardjoe and President Barack Obama (2009)

Since the reestablishment of a democratic, elected government in 1991, the United States has maintained positive and mutually beneficial relations with Suriname based on the principles of democracy, respect for human rights, rule of law, and civilian authority over the military. To further strengthen civil society and bolster democratic institutions, the U.S. has provided training regarding appropriate roles for the military in civil society to some of Suriname's military officers and decision makers. In addition, narcotics trafficking organizations are channeling increasing quantities of cocaine through Suriname for repackaging and transport to Europe and the United States, and of ecstasy for transport to the United States. To assist Suriname in the fight against drugs and associated criminal activity, the U.S. has helped train Surinamese anti-drug squad personnel. The U.S. and Suriname also have significant partnerships in fighting trafficking in persons and money laundering.

Since 2000, the U.S. has donated a criminal records database to the police as well as computers, vehicles, and radio equipment. Projects through which the U.S. has supported the judicial system include case management and computer hardware donation. Along with training projects, these programs have led to a strong relationship with law enforcement entities in Suriname.

The U.S. Peace Corps in Suriname works with the Ministry of Regional Development and rural communities to encourage community development in Suriname's interior.

Suriname is densely forested, and increased interest in large-scale commercial logging and mining in Suriname's interior have raised environmental concerns. The U.S. Forest Service, the Smithsonian, and numerous non-governmental environmental organizations have promoted technical cooperation with Suriname's government to prevent destruction of the country's tropical rain forest, one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. U.S. experts have worked closely with local natural resource officials to encourage sustainable development of the interior and alternatives such as ecotourism. On December 1, 2000, UNESCO designated the 16,000 square kilometre Central Suriname Nature Reserve as a World Heritage Site. Suriname's tourism sector remains a minor part of the economy, and tourist infrastructure is limited (in 2004, some 145,000 foreign tourists visited Suriname).

Suriname's efforts in recent years to liberalize economic policy created new possibilities for U.S. exports and investments. The U.S. remains one of Suriname's principal trading partners, largely due to ALCOA's longstanding investment in Suriname's bauxite mining and processing industry. Several U.S. corporations represented by Surinamese firms acting as dealers are active in Suriname, largely in the mining, consumer goods, and service sectors. Principal U.S. exports to Suriname include chemicals, vehicles, machine parts, meat, and wheat. U.S. consumer products are increasingly available through Suriname's many trading companies. Opportunities for U.S. exporters, service companies, and engineering firms will probably expand over the next decade.

Suriname is looking to U.S. and other foreign investors to assist in the commercial development of its vast natural resources and to help finance infrastructure improvements. Enactment of a new investment code and intellectual property rights protection legislation which would strengthen Suriname's attractiveness to investors has been discussed; the investment law was approved by the National Assembly and is currently being revised by the Ministry of Finance.

According to the 2012 U.S. Global Leadership Report, 51% of Surinamese people approve of U.S. leadership, with 4% disapproving and 45% uncertain, the fifth-highest rating for any surveyed country in the Americas. [6]

Trade

In 2019, Suriname exported US$ 76 million worth of goods to the United States with the main products being fish and refined petroleum [7] which constitutes 2.93% of total exports. [8] In 2019, the United States exported US$ 384 million worth of goods with the main products being excavation machinery and refined petroleum, [7] which constitutes 21.5% of total imports of Suriname making it the largest exporter to Suriname. [8]

See also

Related Research Articles

Economy of Angola National economy

The economy of Angola remains heavily influenced by the effects of four decades of conflict in the last part of the 20th century, the war for independence from Portugal (1961–75) and the subsequent civil war (1975–2002). Despite extensive oil and gas resources, diamonds, hydroelectric potential, and rich agricultural land, Angola remains poor, and a third of the population relies on subsistence agriculture. Since 2002, when the 27-year civil war ended, government policy prioritized the repair and improvement of infrastructure and strengthening of political and social institutions. During the first decade of the 21st century, Angola's economy was one of the fastest-growing in the world, with reported annual average GDP growth of 11.1 percent from 2001 to 2010. High international oil prices and rising oil production contributed to strong economic growth, although with high inequality, at that time.

Economy of Eritrea

The economy of Eritrea has experienced considerable growth in recent years, indicated by an improvement in gross domestic product (GDP) in October 2012 of 7.5 percent over 2011. However, worker remittances from abroad are estimated to account for 32 percent of gross domestic product. Eritrea has an extensive amount of resources such as copper, gold, granite, marble, and potash. The Eritrean economy has undergone extreme changes due to the War of Independence.

Morocco is a member of the United Nations and belongs to the African Union, Arab League, Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Non-Aligned Movement and the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN_SAD). Morocco's relationships vary greatly between African, Arab, and Western states. Morocco has had strong ties with the West in order to gain economic and political benefits. France and Spain remain the primary trade partners, as well as the primary creditors and foreign investors in Morocco. From the total foreign investments in Morocco, the European Union invests approximately 73.5%, whereas, the Arab world invests only 19.3%. Many countries from the Persian Gulf and Maghreb regions are also getting more involved in large-scale development projects in Morocco.

Suriname Country in South America

Suriname or Surinam, officially known as the Republic of Suriname, is a country on the northeastern Atlantic coast of South America. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, French Guiana to the east, Guyana to the west, and Brazil to the south. At just under 165,000 square kilometers, it is the smallest sovereign state in South America. Suriname has a population of approximately 575,990, most of whom live on the country's north coast, in and around the capital and largest city, Paramaribo.

Economy of Suriname

The economy of Suriname was largely dependent upon the exports of aluminium oxide and small amounts of aluminium produced from bauxite mined in the country. However, after the departure of Alcoa, the economy depended on the exports of crude oil and gold. Suriname was ranked the 124th safest investment destination in the world in the March 2011 Euromoney Country Risk rankings.

Canada–Mexico relations Bilateral relations

Canada–Mexico relations are relations between Canada and the United Mexican States. Although historic ties between the two nations have been dormant, relations between Canada and Mexico have positively changed in recent years, seeing as both countries brokered the NAFTA. They were on different sides of the Cold War Spectrum.

Ghana–United States relations Bilateral relations

Ghana–United States relations refers to the diplomatic relations between Ghana and United States.

Prostitution in Suriname is illegal but widespread and the laws are rarely enforced. Human trafficking and Child prostitution are problems in the country. Prostitutes are known locally as "motyo". UNAIDS estimate there to be 2,228 prostitutes in the country.

Greece–Norway relations Bilateral relations

Greece–Norway relations are foreign relations between Greece and Norway. The Greek Embassy in Oslo opened in 1980 and the Norwegian Embassy in Athens opened in 1974.

Foreign relations of Barbados

This article deals with the diplomatic affairs, foreign policy and international relations of Barbados.

Chile–Pakistan relations Bilateral relations

Chile–Pakistan relations refers to the bilateral, diplomatic, commercial, economic and people-to-people linkages between Pakistan and Chile. The Embassy of Pakistan in Argentina is concurrent to Chile, likewise, the Embassy of Chile in the United Arab Emirates deals with matters pertaining to Pakistan.

Netherlands–Suriname relations Bilateral relations

Netherlands–Suriname relations refers to the current and historical relations between the Netherlands and Suriname. Both nations share historic ties and a common language (Dutch) and are members of the Dutch Language Union.

Brazil–Suriname relations Bilateral relations

Brazil – Suriname relations refer to the bilateral relations between the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Republic of Suriname. Diplomatic relations were established on 3 March 1976. Brazil has an embassy in Paramaribo since the independence of Suriname on 25 November 1975. Suriname has an embassy in Brasília since 1976, and a consulate in Belém since 2012.

Guyana–Suriname relations Bilateral relations

Guyana – Suriname relations refer to the bilateral relations between Guyana and Suriname. Suriname has an embassy in Georgetown. Guyana has an embassy in Paramaribo. The Courantyne River makes up most of the border between the two countries.

Mexico–Suriname relations Bilateral relations

Mexico–Suriname relations refers to the diplomatic relations between Mexico and Suriname. Both nations are members of the Association of Caribbean States, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, Organization of American States and the United Nations.

Nigeria–Spain relations Bilateral relations

Nigeria–Spain relations are the bilateral and diplomatic relations between these two countries. Nigeria has an embassy in Madrid. Spain has an embassy in Abuja and a consulate-general in Lagos.

Suriname–Trinidad and Tobago relations Bilateral relations

Suriname–Trinidad and Tobago relations refers to the bilateral relations between Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. Both countries have some of the highest percentages of citizens adhering to Hinduism and Islam in The Americas. Both nations are a part of CARICOM and the OAS. Trinidad and Tobago has a Consulate in Paramaribo.

Diplomatic relations between Suriname and Venezuela were established in November 1975, shortly after the independence of Suriname. Suriname has an embassy in Caracas since 1976. Venezuela has an embassy in Paramaribo. As of 30 June 1978, there is no travel visa requirement between the two countries.

France–Suriname relations Bilateral relations

Diplomatic relations between France and Suriname were established on 25 August 1976. Suriname and the French overseas department of French Guiana share a common border of 520 kilometres (320 mi). Suriname operates an embassy in Paris, a consulate in Cayenne, and an honorary consulate in Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni. France operates an embassy in Paramaribo, a consulate in Georgetown, Guyana, and an honorary consulate in Albina.

Cuba–Suriname relations Bilateral relations

Diplomatic relations between Cuba and Suriname were established on 23 March 1979. Suriname has an embassy in Havana since 2003. Cuba has an embassy in Paramaribo since 1981.

References

  1. "Lijst van Diplomatieke betrekkingen en visum afschaffing" (PDF). Surinamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in Dutch). Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  2. "Roël F. Karamat, eerste ambassadeur Suriname in de V.S., overleden in Oostenrijk". Werkgroep Carabische Letteren (in Dutch). Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  3. "Surinamese Consulate General in Miami, United States of America". Visacent. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  4. "Robert L. Flanagin (1922–)". Office of the Historian, Foreign Service Institute. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  5. "Joseph Owen Zurhellen Jr. (1920–1990)". Office of the Historian, Foreign Service Institute. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  6. U.S. Global Leadership Project Report - 2012 Gallup
  7. 1 2 "Suriname/United States". Observatory of Economic Complexity. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  8. 1 2 "Suriname". Observatory of Economic Complexity. Retrieved 29 December 2021.

PD-icon.svg This article incorporates  public domain material from the United States Department of State website https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/1893.htm .