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News from Suriname as of
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IDB committed to support Suriname's development
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| Published on Wednesday, September 2, 2009 | Email To Friend Print Version
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IDB-president Luis Alberto Moreno is being greeted by a dancer on his arrival
at the Berg en Dal Resort, a privately owned tourism accomodation which is
being co-funded by the Inter-American Development Bank. Project developer
C. Kersten & Co is the first Surinamese private company to receive a loan from
the IDB (photo by Ivan Cairo)
By Ivan Cairo
Caribbean Net News Suriname Correspondent
Email: ivan@caribbeannetnews.com
PARAMARIBO, Suriname -- The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is committed to support Suriname in its economic and social development, IDB's president Luis Alberto Moreno told journalists on Tuesday in Paramaribo after a meeting with Suriname's Finance Minister, Humphrey Hildenberg.
Moreno arrived in Suriname on Monday evening for a one-day visit and held talks with government ministers Tuesday regarding projects which are being financed with IDB funds. The IDB official also met with the country's president Ronald Venetiaan and vice-president Ramdien Sardjoe.
According to Moreno, the IDB needs to extend its support to strenghten competitiveness and enhance economic growth in Suriname. The multilateral institution is therefore committed to support projects in the field of infrastructure, sanitation and development of coastal areas.
Furthermore, the bank is looking into issues regarding climate change, while cooperation with private companies is also being pursued.
Minister Hildenberg noted that during the meeting with Moreno the relations between Suriname and the bank were reviewed and there were discussions aiming at identification of protential projects to be funded by the IDB and problems regarding delays in projects that are being implemented already.
Responding to questions from reporters, the IDB president noted that the IDB is a development bank that extends loans and grants to support goverments to improve the quality of life of its people. Since the bank is not commercial, institutions planning, preparation and execution of IDB sponsored projects take some time to develop, said Moreno.
He further noted that the IDB is financing infrastructure programs since infrastructure is crucial to economic and social development.
"The more you invest in roads, the more you can develop coastal areas, improve competitiveness and increase benefits to Suriname," said the IDB official.
At the meeting with vice-president Sardjoe and several cabinet ministers, Sardjoe commended the good relations and understanding between Suriname and the IDB. The vice-president however noted several issues that are being regarded as difficulties in the bilateral relations. Among other things he mentioned the identification of projects, planning and duration of projects and the time it takes for projects to be approved by the IDB.
Several ministers also noted the difficulties their departments are being confronted with during implementation of IDB-funded projects. The Surinamese officials argued for closer involvement of the minister of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank of Suriname. The IDB is Suriname’s largest multilateral development partner, with lending in 2008-2009 expected to reach US$100 million. | | | | Reads : 612 | | | |
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