✔️ Parliament approved new state budget with expanded subsidies

while Suriname takes on another loan from the IDB

De Brief
August 18, 2025

The National Assembly adopted the 2025 budget with 41 votes in favor, including support from the VHP, ensuring wages and salaries can be paid in August.
The budget deficit stands at SRD 13.137 billion, equal to 8% of GDP, with revenues projected at SRD 55.65 billion and expenditures at SRD 68.78 billion.
President Jennifer Simons clarified that the larger deficit does not reflect excessive new spending, but rather that the budget only extends until August, exposing distortions from the previous government’s proposal.
Personnel costs are estimated at SRD 16.74 billion, making up more than 25% of total spending, with the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture accounting for SRD 3.88 billion of that.
Non-personnel costs amount to SRD 50.43 billion and include items such as supplies, housing, transport, utilities, maintenance, training, and communication.
The budget deficit rose from an earlier estimate of SRD 11.5 billion, primarily due to wage adjustments and the addition of a massive SRD 1.6 billion subsidy to the Energy Companies Suriname (EBS).
Finance Minister Adelien Wijnerman announced she will present a debt plan to parliament to address the deficit, stressing the urgency of budget approval to ensure salaries are paid.
Parliament unanimously approved the budget, with Wijnerman promising stricter monitoring and warning about weak implementation of projects funded by international institutions.

The IDB approved a USD $500 million loan for Suriname’s country program, with another USD $500 million available if needed, and committed a US$13 million grant for technical and institutional support.
IDB President Ilan Goldfajn emphasized the long-standing partnership with Suriname and marked the talks as a new phase of cooperation.
President Jennifer Simons highlighted the importance of oil and gas development but stressed the need for economic diversification through tourism, agriculture, and social programs to shift “from poverty to production.”
Education, especially vocational training at primary and secondary levels, was prioritized to better prepare youth for the labor market, alongside entrepreneurship support for small and micro-businesses.
Discussions also covered strengthening institutions, tackling corruption, improving the investment climate, and building capacity for handling carbon credits to maximize benefits from that market.
The government and IDB see this mix of financial aid, technical expertise, and policy coordination as a foundation for sustainable growth and broad-based prosperity in Suriname.

Former SLM president Xaviera Jessurun, ex-director Paul de Haan, and ex-legal advisor Prenobe Bissessur have been named suspects in fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, forgery, and aggravated embezzlement.
Jessurun, now working with former Minister Albert Ramdin at the OAS, was questioned last month; all three suspects are currently abroad.
Attorney General Garcia Paragsingh had advised against Jessurun’s transfer to the OAS and wrote to then-President Santokhi, but the request was dismissed.
The Public Prosecution Service launched a preliminary judicial investigation into the SLM case in May, with inquiries held in both Suriname and the Netherlands; further prosecution decisions await review of the investigation results.

President Jennifer Simons announced the government will decide on the future of SLM within three months, stressing the need for a rational but potentially painful choice.
She noted SLM requires over US$2 million monthly to stay afloat, currently subsidized by Grassalco, making its financial situation critical.
Consultations with the aviation sector have begun, and a special team will work with the government and relevant ministries to meet international aviation standards.
Simons highlighted the urgent need to remove Suriname from the EU aviation blacklist, aiming for reversal within one year instead of the typical five to nine.
The president called for a national dialogue, inviting aviation experts and those with SLM experience to help decide the company’s fate.
Simons acknowledged either saving or dissolving SLM would be painful but believes decisive action could preserve the airline and position it to benefit from future oil and gas revenues.