2017年-世界发展银行全球_Suriname_Sector_Competitiveness_Analysis___Identifying_Opportunities_and_Constraints_to_Investment_and_Diversification_in_the_Agribusiness_and_Extractives_Sectors_192页_4mb

Suriname Sector Competitiveness Analysis: Summary

Core Content

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the agribusiness and extractives sectors in Suriname, identifying opportunities and constraints for investment and diversification. It aims to support the Government of Suriname (OvS) in developing strategies that promote private investment and enhance competitiveness in these sectors. The findings are based on a detailed scan of the sectors, focusing on subsectors with high investment potential.

Main Sectors and Their Importance

1. Agribusiness Sector

• Overview: Suriname has abundant land and water resources, and a favorable environment for growing a wide range of agricultural products.
• Key Export Products: Rice, bananas, fish, and shrimp are already significant export products.
• Current Contribution: Agriculture contributes over 10% of Suriname's exports.
• Employment: Together with the extractives sector, it accounts for approximately 40% of total employment.
• Challenges:
  • Quality Compliance: Exporters face difficulties in meeting international quality standards.
  • Limited Certification Facilities: Few laboratories are available for food safety certification.
  • Non-Tariff Barriers: These are prevalent in many export markets.
  • High Labor Costs: Domestic labor is expensive, and large estates rely on migrant workers.
  • Land Access Issues: Procedures for land access are unclear and not transparent, especially for foreign investors.
  • Underutilized Assets: State-owned agricultural estates have unused productive capacity.
  • Limited Private Investment: Efforts to attract private investment through privatization or concessions have been minimal.

2. Extractives Sector

• Overview: Historically, the extractives sector (bauxite, oil, and gold) has been the backbone of Suriname's economy, contributing around 30% of GDP and up to 90% of exports.
• Current Status:
  • Bauxite production has declined due to resource depletion.
  • Gold is now the most important extractive industry, with both large-scale and artisanal operations.
  • Staatsolie, the national oil company, has been successful in onshore oil production and is exploring offshore opportunities.
• Challenges:
  • Geological Data: Limited reliable geological information hinders investment.
  • Legal and Institutional Framework: Weak and unclear regulations for mining rights and environmental/social protections.
  • Social and Environmental Concerns: Artisanal mining practices, such as gold-mercury amalgamation, raise significant environmental and health risks.
  • Lack of Local Content: There is limited integration of local suppliers in extractive industries.
  • Fiscal and Policy Gaps: The legal framework for investment incentives and fiscal policies needs improvement to attract and sustain investment.

Key Recommendations

1. Agriculture Sector

• Prioritize Subsectors: Focus on vegetables/fruits, grains/animal feed, coconuts, pork, and aquaculture for investment promotion.
• Strategic Action Plans: Develop and implement action plans targeting policy reforms to support investment in the selected subsectors.
• Improve Market Access: Enhance food safety certification and address non-tariff barriers, especially within CARICOM.
• Support for Farmers: Provide technical assistance to help farmers meet international standards.
• Inter-Ministerial Task Force: Establish a task force for project implementation, possibly involving the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Tourism (MHIT), the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, & Fisheries (LVV), and the Investment Development Corporation of Suriname (IDCS).
• Investment Climate Improvements: Clarify and streamline procedures for land access, and establish a single government agency responsible for promoting investment.

2. Extractives Sector

• Geological Exploration: Fund a comprehensive geological program to gather, interpret, and stimulate new data on mineral availability.
• Social and Environmental Governance: Promote mercury reduction programs in gold mining, and support the ratification of the Minamata Convention.
• Institutional Reforms:
  • Reform mining laws to reduce discretionary power and strengthen the legal framework for mining rights.
  • Establish a Minerals Institute to support the mining subsector.
  • Create an independent regulatory body for the oil sector, separating regulatory and operational functions of Staatsolie.
• Sectoral Policy Reforms:
  • Clarify the roles of the government and private sector in extractives development.
  • Implement the Extractives Sector Transparency Initiative to increase public awareness of government revenues from the sector.
• Long-Term Analysis:
  • Assess existing supplier relationships between large mining operations and local suppliers.
  • Identify development opportunities and needs for local suppliers to enhance integration with the extractives sector.
  • Develop fiscal models for different scenarios to better understand their implications for revenue generation and investment attraction.

Policy Focus

The report emphasizes the need for diversification and private sector-led growth. It highlights that the quality of products and production methods can be more critical than the type of products being exported. Both sectors have the potential to generate substantial export revenues and should be supported through targeted reforms and investment strategies.

Conclusion

Suriname's economy is heavily reliant on natural resources, particularly in the extractives and agribusiness sectors. While these sectors have historically driven growth, they face significant challenges in terms of competitiveness, market access, and institutional support. The report outlines a series of reforms and strategies aimed at improving the investment climate, enhancing competitiveness, and promoting sustainable development. These recommendations are essential for the Government of Suriname to move towards a more diversified and resilient economy.