Suriname - Business Travel Suriname - Business Travel
Business Customs
Business customs in Suriname do not differ significantly from those in the U.S., although the pace can be more leisurely. Government offices generally are open from 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Meetings with government officials are best arranged in the morning although many officials are hard to reach before 10 a.m. Government offices close early on Fridays and before holidays. Business entertainment includes dinners and cocktail parties and small lunches. Business suits are worn, but due to the tropical climate, casual clothing is often acceptable at most business meetings (except those with senior government officials). Exchange of business cards is normal practice during meetings. Presenting gifts is acceptable. Surinamers prefer establishing a comfortable working relationship first, as opposed to directly tackling business. Given the consensual nature of the Surinamese government, there is often a lengthy consultation process prior to any decision making. Suriname is two hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (and one hour ahead of Eastern Daylight Savings Time). Auto traffic moves on the left-hand side of the road.Travel Advisory
Visit Department of State website to Travel Advisory.
Visa Requirements
A passport and a visa are required for entry into the Republic of Suriname. Visa requests may be made in person or by mail. For the latter method, passports and application materials should be submitted to the Embassy with sufficient time for the visa to be processed. Visas may be obtained at the following Surinamese diplomatic and consular missions:
Embassy of the Republic of Suriname
Washington, D.C.
4201Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20008
Embassy website
Consulate of Suriname, Miami
Corporate Center Drive
Suite 302Miami, FL 33126
To promote tourism, the government introduced the tourist card on November 25, 2011. Nationals of 37 countries including the United States can purchase this card at the embassies and consulates of the Republic of Suriname. Travelers may also obtain a tourist card on arrival at Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport in Suriname. However, business travelers must have a visa.
U.S. Companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States are advised that security evaluations are handled via an interagency process. Visa applicants should go to the following link(s): State Department Visa Website
Currency
The local currency in Suriname is the Surinamese Dollar (SRD); however, USD and the Euro are widely accepted. Use of credit or debit cards is generally limited to hotels and select businesses. DSB and Republic Bank ATM’s also provide access to U.S. ATM networks.
Telecommunications/Electronics
The telecommunication sector is partially deregulated. Telecommunication infrastructure and fixed land line services are state owned, whereas mobile telecoms have been deregulated. Telesur is the state owned telecom company and has exclusivity of the fixed land line services. Telecommunication is accessible via landlines, cellular phones, and the internet. Internet access is possible via DSL, smart phone internet, and Wi-Fi internet connection. Telesur and ParboNet, a private company, provide wireless Wi-Fi connections, but the latter is expensive and can take up to a week to set up. Most hotels provide Wi-Fi connections for their guests.
Cellular networks use GSM technology and offer 3G and 4G services. Cell phones are widely available and often inexpensive compared to U.S. prices. Telecom companies also offer cell phones on a rental basis. Telesur and Digicel have roaming agreements with major U.S. cell phone service providers. Telephone and fax connections with the United States work well. Suriname is part of AT&T’s World Connect Service and “USA Direct.” The types of voltage and plugs outlets used in Suriname are 120-volt U.S.-type plugs, duplex 110V, 220V, european110V, and 220V.
Transportation
Travelers to Suriname may experience disruptions in travel plans because of the unreliability of scheduled air service, both in international and domestic flights. International flights are often overbooked, often delayed, and sometimes arrive without luggage. Domestic flights to the interior are often delayed, sometimes for days, due to mechanical difficulties, fuel shortages, weather, runway conditions, and insufficient passengers or cargo loads. There is limited vehicle access to the interior of the country. Access by plane or boat is more common, but also limited.
Surinam Airways (SLM), the national airline, flies to Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago), Aruba, Curacao, Georgetown (Guyana), and Belem (Brazil), where connections can be made with other airlines. SLM also flies to Miami via Aruba or Georgetown, Guyana. Fly Always, a local airline, offers flights to Curacao, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. Gum Air and Blue Wing Airlines also offer service between Paramaribo and Georgetown; however, private travel on Blue Wing Airlines is discouraged for safety reasons (official travel is prohibited). Caribbean Airlines also services Suriname from the United States via Trinidad and Tobago. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and SLM also provide non-stop service between Amsterdam (the Netherlands) and Paramaribo. GOL Airlines (Brazil) flies twice a week between Paramaribo and Belem. The airport is located one hour from Paramaribo. Travelers should make arrangements for transport to the city prior to arrival. Traffic moves on the left in Suriname. Suriname permits both right-hand-drive and left-hand-drive cars. An international driver’s license (obtainable from AAA) may be used to drive a car in Suriname.
Local Suriname drivers’ licenses are also available. The U.S. Embassy’s Consular section provides notary services for validating U.S. drivers’ licenses (for use in the application process). The Embassy phone number is (597) 556-700. See travel.state.gov for further information on transportation.
Language
Dutch is the official language of Suriname but almost all business contacts in the capital speak English as well. Other languages spoken include Sranan Tongo, Hindi, and Javanese.
Health
Medical care is limited and does not fully meet U.S. standards. Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment for access to health services, which are inexpensive when compared to U.S. facilities. Americans visiting Suriname who are injured or become ill during their visit can be admitted to the only hospital with emergency and intensive care facilities, contingent on an advance payment deposit (payable only in U.S. dollars) or proof of adequate insurance coverage provided in a form acceptable to the hospital.
Academisch Ziekenhuis (Emergency and Intensive Care Facility)
Flustraat
Telephone: (597) 442-222
Fax: (597) 440-022
Diakonessenhuis
Zinniastraat 64
Telephone: (597) 427-288
Fax: (597) 499-224
E-mail: diakonessenhus@sr.net
Sint Vincentius Ziekenhuis
Koningenstraat
Telephone: (597) 471-212
Fax: (597) 473-148
Business travelers should consult their health insurance company for information about reimbursement of medical expenses incurred outside the United States and, if advisable, obtain traveler’s insurance. Airlines may require travelers to prove they have been vaccinated for yellow fever prior to travel. See travel.state.gov for further information.
Mosquitos are a concern. Malaria is not present in Paramaribo, but does appear in some parts of the interior. Anti-malarial prophylactics are highly recommended for overnight trips to certain sections of the interior. Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya are present in Paramaribo and are especially prevalent during the rainy season.
Local Time, Business Hours and Holidays
Most businesses are open from 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturdays. In addition, some retail businesses have extended Friday business hours until 7 p.m.
Suriname’s 2018 holidays:
| January 01 | New Year |
| March 2 | Holy Phagwa |
| March 30 | Good Friday |
| April 2 | Easter Monday |
| May 01 | Labor Day |
| June 15 | Eid ul- Fitr (tentative) |
| July 01 | Emancipation Day |
| August 09 | Indigenous People’s Day |
| August 21 | Eid al Adha (tentative) |
| October 10 | Maroon Day |
| November 7 | Divali |
| November 25 | Independence Day |
| December 25 | Christmas Day |
| December 26 | Boxing Day |
Temporary Entry of Materials or Personal Belongings
Temporary entry of goods in Suriname is permissible. The importer is required to notify customs. For further information about temporary entry of materials and belongings, please contact the customs office.
Customs Office
Telephone: (597) 402-626
Fax: (597) 403-164
Web Resources
Embassy of the Republic of SurinamePrepared by the International Trade Administration. With its network of more than 100 offices across the United States and in more than 75 markets, the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.