Selling to the Government

Government procurement in Suriname takes place on the basis of open tenders. Participants in the tendering process must hold a valid business license and must be registered with the Suriname Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKF). The tendering and bidding procedures do not differentiate between domestic and foreign-owned enterprises. The full spectrum of government ministries and agencies initiate procurement actions. There is no single agency with a mandate for formulating procurement policies, monitoring compliance, or ensuring enforceable sanctions, and enforcement mechanisms have not yet been established. The current administration of President Santokhi has promised to make the procurement process more transparent.

The government does not use any standard bidding documentation. In cases where external donors or organizations are financing the procurement, their source-bidding documents may be used. 

Suriname is not a signatory to the WTO Government Procurement Agreement, nor is it party to a free trade agreement containing commitments on government procurement with the United States. 

U.S. companies bidding on foreign government tenders may also qualify for U.S. Government advocacy. Within the U.S. Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration, the Advocacy Center coordinates U.S. Government interagency advocacy efforts on behalf of U.S. exporters in competition with foreign firms in foreign government projects or procurement opportunities. The Advocacy Center works closely with our network of the U.S. Commercial Service worldwide and inter-agency partners to ensure that exporters of U.S. products and services have the best possible chance of winning government contracts. Advocacy assistance can take many forms but often involves the U.S. Embassy or other U.S. Government agency officials expressing support for the U.S. exporters directly to the foreign government. Consult the Advocacy Center’s program web page on trade.gov for additional information.

Financing of Projects

Multilateral Development Banks and Financing Government Sales. Price, payment terms, and financing can be a significant factor in winning a government contract. Many governments finance public works projects through borrowing from the Multilateral Development Banks (MDB). The Guide to Doing Business with Multilateral Development Banks overviews how to work with MDBs. The International Trade Administration (ITA) has a Foreign Commercial Service Officer stationed at each of the five different Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs): the African Development Bank; the Asian Development Bank; the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; the Inter-American Development Bank; and the World Bank.

Learn more by contacting the: Inter-American Development Bank