PARAMARIBO — President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons officially installed the National Development Platform on Friday. It is tasked to draw up a broadly supported development plan within one year that transcends the boundaries of government periods and should provide direction for Suriname’s development until 2050.
According to Geerlings-Simons, Suriname is at an important turning point as the country prepares for income from the oil and gas sector. That is precisely why she believes it is necessary to develop a joint long-term vision. “The intention is to see what support there is in society for the development direction,” said the head of state. “All ideas and proposals must be brought together into a plan that successive governments can take forward.”
“It should not be a development that is designed for society, but with society”
Karel Eckhorst
Roadmap future
The National Development Platform must draw up a development agenda for the period 2030 to a maximum of 2050. The entire society must be involved, so that the final plan has broad support.
Geerlings-Simons emphasized that Suriname is currently in a transition phase. “We have the prospect of income from oil and gas, but there are also risks associated with it if we do not use it wisely,” said the president.
Sustainable development is central
The platform is led by technocrat Karel Eckhorst. According to him, Suriname is on the eve of drastic economic and social changes due to the arrival of offshore oil production.
While the expected revenues provide new opportunities, Eckhorst cautioned that success will ultimately depend on how these resources are deployed. “The additional financial space must be used for the sustainable and inclusive development of Suriname,” he stated.
According to the chairman, society must be actively involved in drawing up the development vision. “It should not be development that is designed for society, but with society. Ultimately, development is about improving the position of the population. Everything must fit in with that joint long-term vision.”
From plans to implementation
Rekha Bissumbhar, chairman of the Surinamese Business Association (VSB), also emphasized that the implementation of the plans is at least as important as drawing them up. “It cannot be just talk and planning. Ultimately, success lies in the implementation. We must actually see results in the coming years, especially when financial resources from the oil and gas sector become available.”
Bissumbhar is part of the platform’s leading group. This further consists of Eckhorst, Sergio Akiemboto (cabinet of the president), Reynold Simons (Council of Trade Unions in Suriname), Danny Lachman (Planning Bureau Suriname) and Lothar Boksteen (Confederation for Organizations of National Servants).
Geerlings-Simons announced that the Association of Economists in Suriname (VES) had also been approached to participate. However, that organization stated that it wanted to maintain its independent position. Akiemboto, chief of staff in the president’s office, will work for the platform without pay.
Broad representation
The National Development Platform consists of representatives from government, political parties, employee organizations and the business community. In addition to the leading group, Jimmy Bousaid (office of the vice-president), Sherida Mormon and Anushka Ramdjielal (office of the president), Vernon Oostwijk (NDP), Henry Ori (VHP), Gonda Asadang (Abop), Henry MacDonald (NPS), Eric Prijor (BEP), Miguel Moerawi (PL), Orlando Olmberg (A20), Paul Dennis de Baas (Chamber of Commerce and Industry) and Vincentius Kensmil (Association of Surinamese Manufacturers) is part of the platform.
The body has a term of office of one year and must ultimately deliver a broadly supported development strategy that guides Suriname’s policy long after the start of oil production. The installation of the members took place on Friday at the President’s Office in the presence of Vice President Gregory Russia and Minister of Finance and Planning Adelien Wijnerman.
