Suriname’s Energy Opportunity Must Be Built - Not Assumed

April 13, 2026•2 min read

At Caribbean Energy Week in Paramaribo, one message came through clearly: Suriname’s offshore promise is real, but the business environment needed to support it will not develop on its own. Speakers stressed that investment readiness requires macroeconomic stability, policy clarity, strong institutions, and coordination across the public and private sectors. Suriname Business Forum Chair Steven Debipersad put it plainly: an attractive investment climate must be deliberately built, not expected to appear automatically.

That message is especially important for SGCC members. As Suriname advances toward first oil from the GranMorgu project in 2028, industry leaders are already warning that one of the biggest risks is the shortage of skilled local talent. Representatives from Shell, TotalEnergies EP Suriname, and SBM Offshore all pointed to workforce development and training capacity as essential if Suriname is to fully capture the value of its offshore sector.

For the Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce, this is where the real opportunity lies. The next phase of growth will not belong only to those waiting for contracts. It will belong to businesses that prepare now - by building capability, investing in partnerships, strengthening standards, and positioning themselves within the wider Guyana-Suriname value chain. Debipersad also emphasized that local companies must move beyond being short-term suppliers and become long-term partners, co-investors, and holders of expertise.

The takeaway for our members is simple: this is the time to get ready. The region’s energy future will reward those who are prepared, connected, and able to deliver. SGCC remains committed to helping our members do exactly that - by creating linkages, encouraging collaboration, and ensuring that private sector participation grows alongside the opportunities emerging in both Suriname and Guyana.

Guyana Office (English-speaking)
+592-703-0020 | [email protected]

Suriname Office (Dutch & English-speaking)
+592-746-0020 | [email protected]