With First Oil expected in 2028, Suriname finds itself at a historic economic crossroads. The macro-economic outlook is favorable, but Tania Lieuw A Soe, president of the Federation of Surinamese Farmers, sees significant structural shortcomings in the preparations.
Lieuw A Soe, a prominent agribusiness entrepreneur, is concerned about the severe lack of information provided to the Surinamese public. She also points to a worrying lag in the extent to which the agricultural sector is actively involved in shaping the national local content policy.
If this does not change quickly, she believes it will be a missed opportunity for local farmers. “It is very sad what is happening right now. Small, ordinary entrepreneurs and regular citizens in Suriname are completely unprepared for oil and gas,” she says sharply.
Lieuw A Soe emphasizes that women in rural areas who work in agriculture-her primary target group-have had minimal involvement in the process. Click here to read more.
