Trade Promotion and Advertising
Surinamers advertise through newspapers, radio, television, social media, and billboards. Direct advertisement (i.e., newspaper advertisements) can be expensive. There are four major daily national newspapers published in Dutch: de West, de Ware Tijd, The Times of Suriname, and Dagblad Suriname. Only The Times of Suriname publishes two pages of news in English. It is not unusual to see English advertisements in all newspapers or to hear radio and television advertisements in English. Online versions of the above papers can be found at the following sites:
https://dagbladdewest.com/
https://dwtonline.com/
https://www.surinametimes.com/
https://www.dbsuriname.com/
As a -Commercial Service partner post, the U.S. Embassy offers single company promotion services.
Pricing
Under the Price Setting and Monitoring Law, the Minister of Trade and Industry can determine the maximum price or mark-up for any good or service sold in Suriname.
Government authorities indicate that mark-ups are determined by factory cost for goods produced domestically. Mark-ups on imported goods are calculated by the C.I.F. (Cost Insurance and Freight) value, plus customs duties and other taxes. Maximum permitted mark-ups range from 10 to 22 percent at the wholesale level and from 15 to 35 percent at the retail level.
The government implemented a value added tax of 10 percent in January 2023. On September 05, 2023 the law on Value Added Tax was amended. The taxbase for VAT has been expended to include a five percent VAT on electricity, water, and gas.
Sales Service/Customer Support
Customers expect after-sales services on goods. Customers also expect spare parts to be made available.
Local Professional Services
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry website has information on business service providers that can be of assistance to U.S. companies. The website can be accessed via this link: https://surinamechamber.com/
The U.S. Embassy can assist in identifying local professional services.
Email: surinamebusinessinfo@state.gov
Principal Business Associations
Principal business associations are the Suriname Trade and Industry Association (VSB) and the Association of Surinamese Manufacturers (ASFA). Both accept U.S. companies as members.
The VSB is an association of employers promoting member interests such as the improvement of legislation and regulations.
ASFA primarily promotes the interests of Surinamese producers and the national production sectors in general. ASFA also advises the government on industrial development.
Limitations on Selling U.S. Products and Services
There are no limits on U.S. companies doing business.