Surinamese Private Sector and RNM Discuss Trade Issues

PARAMARIBO, SURINAME – “The workshop has sensitized a broad range of manufacturing interests, giving us a deeper appreciation of the complex external trade negotiations agenda confronting Suriname and CARICOM.” This statement was made by a representative of the Surinamese private sector – Mr. Oscar Kambel, General Manager of Global Beverages NV – who participated in a sensitization workshop for Surinamese private sector stakeholders in Paramaribo, October 20. Mr. Kambel and other participants hailed the encounter as a success, lauding the workshop organizers for putting the event together.
The Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (RNM) and the Manufacturers’ Association of Suriname (ASFA) collaborated in organizing the encounter, with the support of the Suriname office of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The RNM’s Private Sector Liaison, Ms. Lisa Callender, and the President of ASFA, Ms. Kathleen Lieuw Kie Song, played lead roles in organizing the event. Ms. Callender described it as an initiative that forms part of the RNM’s on-ongoing outreach to the private sector. “The RNM is keen on regular interchange with the private sector, especially at this stage of the region’s external trade negotiations,” she said.
Titled ‘The Opportunities and Threats for Surinamese Production Companies in a Globalizing Economy,’ the workshop enabled participants to identify and discuss how trends in globalization, the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and the external trade environment are impacting the competitiveness of Suriname’s manufacturing and agro-processing companies.
RNM Director of World Trade Organization (WTO) Affairs, Dr. Peter Gonzales, delivered a presentation centered on exploring market access issues and special differential treatment in CARICOM’s external trade negotiations. Focus was on the region’s involvement in negotiations concerning the WTO and Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).
Mrs. Henna Djosetiko, Deputy Director of Trade, Ministry of Trade and Industry-Suriname, was also one of the facilitators. In her address, she underscored the importance of the private sector’s contribution to the formulation of Suriname’s external trade negotiations agenda. Mrs. Djosetiko characterized the event as “consistent with facilitating the sort of dialogue necessary to advance national positions.”
In ‘break-out’ sessions following presentations delivered by facilitators, participants identified approaches and strategies to position Surinamese manufacturing companies to proactively contend with globalization, the CSME and the external trade environment.
Ms. Diana Halfhide, Member of the Commission on International Affairs of ASFA, chaired the workshop. A diverse group of manufacturing and agro-processing company representatives attended, close to fifty in total.