Suriname Study Tour day 7

It is our last day at Queen’s Hotel and, with heavy hearts, we had our last breakfast. Breads, omelette, smoked sausage, green beans and carrots, saltfish and pies. Today, we spent our morning at the Suriname Aluminium Company - SURALCO. The drive was relatively short, one of the few short drives. To enter the compound, we parked up and took a company bus for the tour of the plant.



The Refinery Facilities at SURALCO



On arrival, we met Ms. Zamiba Kroes, the Communications Officer and Mr. Alvin Venetiaan, the Technical Manager.  Mr. Venetiaan delivered a detailed presentation on SURALCO and its history, right up to its present operations. After the presentation, we had a light snack of loempia and then boarded the company bus for the tour of the plant. We saw all the plants involved in the mining, refining and processing.

SURALCO is in the business of resource extraction and refining, which is potentially one of the most environmentally detrimental industries today. However, they have systematically eliminated or improved the worst of their practices. The smelting phase of their operations was terminated when their facilities were deemed below ALCOA’s global standards. When a mining site has been depleted, the site is rehabilitated and cared for until natural vegetative succession occurs. In addition, SURALCO has taken the responsibility to dispose of all their industrial waste products, as well as batteries, fluorescent bulbs and e-waste. In fact, they have set for themselves the ambitious goal of reducing their waste production by 75% by 2020. However, many challenges remain, including the dilemma of disposing waste left over from their smelting era. Smelting waste, such as spent pot liners, poses threats to aquifers and human health for decades. SURALCO, through the ALCOA Foundation, is investing in research programs to develop safer industry practices. In addition, SURALCO returns some of their profit towards the surrounding communities, through its Corporate Social Responsibility Programme, which is managed by their Community Relations Department.

The IIEM Class at the Hydro-Electric Dam

 After visiting SURALCO, our group was able to see how one of the oldest established industries in Suriname operates when looking specifically at the technology employed. At the company, we observed most of the facilities and the equipment which was in existence since the company was established in 1916. This revelation immediately concerned us, especially when we considered the changes in technology that took place in the last ninety six years. It was not surprising to learn that it was difficult for them to find compatible technology. We were also informed that there is an automation department, which focuses on small process control automation. This department invests in enhancing the knowledge of the staff by enrolling them in the appropriate training facilities and courses.

SURALCO is one of nine international branches of Alcoa. Since the 1960’s, the company has engaged in exporting bauxite to the United States and the Netherlands. Currently, they service smelters in the USA, Canada, Norway and Iceland. Approximately 3-5% of SURALCO’s workers are expatriates but the majority are locals. Besides the local supply of bauxite, the Dominican Republic and Brazil also supply bauxite to the company. The company communicates with all Alcoa’s subsidiaries through an intranet where there are global virtual teams that exchange best practices, problems and solutions.

As previously mentioned, SURALCO is a member company of the Alcoa group of companies. Alcoa is very entrepreneurial in its activities, setting up a refinery and a smelter. SURALCO in itself is not very entrepreneurial as they take directives from the parent company with little or no autonomy. However, SURALCO can be thought of as enabling entrepreneurship through its Corporate Social Responsibility Programme and its spending on capital projects. SURALCO funds research at the Anton de Kom University and rehabilitation projects on the environment. SURALCO has also partnered with the government to produce a hydro electric plant, although the main use is to power its refinery and the surplus is made available to consumers.   

The most amazing part of this morning’s venture was our visit to Suriname’s Hydro Electric Dam. We stared open-mouthed as we got our first glimpse of the dam, which was extremely large. After viewing, we started on our long journey back to the hotel, a two hour journey, if I may add. We were later treated to a shopping opportunity and took full advantage of it.  

The Hydro-Electric Dam that powers SURALCO's operations

Suriname has proven itself to be a self-sustaining country that understands its resources and is seeking to take full advantage of it in order to recognize its potential for globalization. This is continually being enhanced by the move towards science, technology, innovation and unceasing entrepreneurial growth.

It is our genuine intent to be back as soon as we can. We will always take with us the many fond memories we shared over this last week on our study tour.

Suriname Study Tour Day 6

After a breakfast of bread, curried pork, string beans and carrots, mini pizza and smoked herring, we boarded the maxi and started on our way to the guesthouse at Anton de Kom University of Suriname. Professor Persad arrived in Suriname early this morning and our first stop was to pick him up at the Mariott Hotel, just around the corner from where we are staying at the Queen’s Hotel.

Professor Persad was scheduled to carry out a workshop at the University promoting the IIEM programme. An interest in adopting the programme was sparked by the members of the University Board back in October 2011 when the Caribbean Invention and Innovation Centre was launched. Invited guests included Ms. Gayatrie Beharie, Mr. Winston Weilson, Ms. Farida Augustin and Mr. Peter Laan, all from the Suriname Business Development Centre. Also present was Mr. Naaderop, Chairman, Mr. Saboerali and Mr. The presentation delivered by Professor Persad went in to great detail about the IIEM programme. He outlined the aims and objectives of the programme and its focus on entrepreneurship and manufacturing in industry. The board members of the University were particularly impressed by the content of the programme, especially as they already had an undergraduate business programme as well as a programme focusing on technology, but none that bridge the gap. The IIEM programme provides a ready avenue to address this gap. Mr. Saboerali expressed enthusiasm for the programme, as he saw a need for one of this nature, especially in light of Suriname’s expected shift towards a greater degree of entrepreneurship within the country, with an increased focus on technology.



SBF Workshop poster



All eyes were on Kadeen Dass and Joanne Maynard as they consecutively delivered a brief description of their experiences thus far as students of the 2011-2012 IIEM Masters programme. Kadeen clearly showed how the programme helped him to develop as an individual, while Joanne spoke about the uniqueness of the programme and how valuable it has proven to be for her.

Professor Prakash Persad and representatives from the Board of  Directors  of   the Anton de  Kom  University of Suriname 

After Mr. Ameerali expressed continued thanks to the various entities, we were whisked away to the hotel where we changed to embark on another journey, this time to the Suriname Alcoholic Beverages Company Limited, SAB. At SAB, we started at the rum museum where we attempted to guess the most aged rum from three selections. There were four bottles, each containing rums of different ages, and one had to smell the rum to guess which one was the most aged. Dinesh was the eventual winner, choosing the one that had been aged for eight years. We were then given a very thorough tour of the company and a comprehensive insight into its operations. This was done by Mr. Kenneth Valderkamp, the production manager at SAB.

When our group toured the facility, we received a special treat. Deep within Suriname Alcoholic Beverages (SAB) was a mixture of old and new of technology. From the fully automated labelling lines to the now outdated molasses manufacturing facility, this company shows its creativity in its utilization of technology. Their ability to recycle parts from the older machines to fix the newer ones and to have the older labelling machine refurbished and on standby in case of a emergency shows that they are making full use of all of the resources available. Our group, however, identified simple ways to improve the process by automating specific tasks. This is a project that can be undertaken by UTT’s current pool of undergraduate engineers who have undertaken similar projects in the university’s mechatronics and electrical departments. We recommend, therefore, that this company partner not only with the local university, but set up a student exchange programme with the University of Trinidad and Tobago where selected engineering students can design a fully functional automated mechatronic system with the relevant controls.

Professor Persad and the 2011/2012 IIEM  class

SAB is ISO 9001/22000 certified and is a member of the Caribbean Brewers Association and the West Indies Rum & Spirits Association (WIRSPA). This company maintains strong contacts with Angostura Limited in Trinidad for sourcing raw materials and rum tanks. Machine parts are sourced from the United States of America and Trinidad, where they also send certain machines for maintenance. The company exports to the Netherlands and has had marketing programs in Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom. New marketing programs are carded for the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.

SAB is in a transitional stage, upgrading their operations, machinery and policies. In so doing, they are improving efficiency of water and electricity use. They exhibit environmental responsibility by separating oil from their effluent water before discharging it and have even taken proactive steps to work with the Ministry of the Environment to develop national best practice policies for the disposal of reject alcohol. Their future upgrading and expansion projects have all taken into consideration environmentally responsible practices. In fact, they are considering undertaking glass recycling. Indeed, SAB is exhibiting the principle of sustainable development by ensuring that profits do not come at the cost of the environment; while their social responsibility is manifested through the support of community activities.



Srishti displaying SAB's wide selection of beverages



With SAB being a privately-owned entity, it was a bit difficult for us to identify "real" entrepreneurial activities within this organization; our quick assessment revealed progressive growth, comfortable profits and a perfectly defined market. We observed, however, an issue surrounding productivity which may represent some entrepreneurial potential but in a supporting role. SAB’s productivity was hampered by Preventative Maintenance (PM) issues primarily due to the unavailability of replacement parts. Most of these parts are sourced from mainland US and Trinidad resulting in high costs and extended downtimes. The unavailability of replacement parts in-country represents an untapped, niche market which can be best served by private sector involvement.  We are of the view that Trinidad’s own Metal Industries Company (MIC) business model can be usefully employed here, in that companies can be spawned to provide parts, mechanical, technical and other periphery support to SAB and other like companies.

On completion of the tour, we were invited back to the gift shop where we purchased souvenir gift items. We then headed back to the hotel for an evening of shopping and blogging. Join us tomorrow as we share our experiences from our visit to Suralco.

Suriname Study Tour Day 5

The routine continued this morning starting with a hearty breakfast. There was a variety of breads, chicken and fish nuggets, banana fritters, potato and bean sprouts and fruit. We then assembled in the lobby to wait to be taken to CELOS, the Centre for Agricultural Research, at the University of Anton de Kom. Today, we were joined by our associates Ms. Gayatrie Beharie, Ms. Farida Augustin, Mr. Winston Wilson and and Mr. Peter Laan.

On arrival, we were immediately taken to the room where the presentations were to be delivered. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Fong Peon, Interim Manager of CELOS. He spoke about the Surinamese Government and their ambitious and commendable goal to be “The Food Basket” of CARICOM, something they have aggressively set out to improve their capacity to do as we found out earlier on in the week.  

Ms Camille Patrick presenting to Mr Fong Peon, Interim Director at CELOS

                                           

At present, emphasis is placed on finding solutions for the Agricultural and Forestry Sector through the application of new technologies, and we were greatly impressed by their level of innovation. Their focus of research in the areas of agriculture, forestry, wood technology and tissue culture sparked our interest. The first presentation, delivered by Ms. Callebaut on the Agronomy Research Department and its operations, raised a point of interest concerning the agricultural research where she indicated that poultry feed was made using cassava root and leaves. The disadvantage of this is a possible ripple effect where there might be increases in prices. This can occur in the event of a shortage of cassava.  However, it will decrease the input cost for animal farming. While all of the research that CELOS is trying to undertake is quite fascinating,  in order for the country to get the full benefit of this research unit, the focus should be directed to areas that can be applicable to large-scale productions.

CELOS is undertaking a range of research in agronomy, forestry and bio-processing, all with the aim of immediate commercialisation or implementation so as to see immediate improvement in the Agricultural sector. All research focuses on creating a sustainable sector through soil conservation, developing genebanks and considering alternative production such as producing fish food from algae. Reflecting a truly balanced vision of sustainable development, there is heavy focus on developing techniques which can improve subsistence farming for rural communities, while being minimally invasive to the environment.

Creating better yields through agricultural research is the primary goal of this organisation. This is in keeping with the vision of the Surinamese Government to become the food basket of CARICOM.  Collaboration with regional universities has assisted in research activities which can only redound to the benefit of the region.

Presentations were also given by Ms. Maureen Playfair, from the Forestry Department, and Ms. Joelaika Beharie Ramdas, who spoke about Bioprocess Technology. The Government understands that in order to make an impact on the economy and be cost effective in their research they must have a strategic plan. This strategic plan allows them to narrow their focus and choose the basis on which they wish to compete. They must create an agribusiness chain. This chain will begin from selecting the right varieties of plant, to the other end of the spectrum which is setting up processing plants. This will make the sector more lucrative and attract entrepreneurs. Also the country has plans to expand its oil sector to an energy sector in order to become a regional player.

Mr Dinesh Soodeen presenting to Mr Amresh Mohan, Production Engineer at STAATSOLIE

                                       

Our visit to STAATSOLIE started with a presentation by Mr. Amresh Mohan, the Production Engineer. After the presentation we were treated to a delicious, well balanced Javanese lunch. 

Javanese Lunch at STAATSOLIE

                                                                 

Similar to CELOS, at STAATSOLIE we saw more evidence in terms of innovation when our guide Mr Mohan described the company’s plan to move from petroleum to energy. Another innovation that we were impressed with was one of the enhanced oil recovery methods (EOR) applied by the company; polymer injection is used due to the high viscosity of the crude in Suriname, whereas in Trinidad, water and steam injections are used. There is a need for the company to develop its pool of expertise in the petroleum sector especially when it comes to the downstream refining and improved oil recovery processes. Both CELOS and STAATSOLIE have similar research programmes as conducted at the UTT and UWI. The difference between the two, however, is the level of experience Trinidad has when compared to Suriname in the energy and research sectors.

In the Conference Room at STAATSOLIE

                                                         

STAATSOLIE has a strategic 20-year plan referred to as vision 2020. These plans will see an increase in their production as well as the refining of crude oil to make other products such as bitumen. This strategic alignment between policy and funding to create upstream and downstream industries builds confidence in the Suriname business sector. This expansion of opportunities in these two sectors will provide greater opportunity for entrepreneurship.

The STAATSOLIE Facilties

                                                       

STAATSOLIE provides an excellent example of how a responsible company balances the three pillars of sustainable development: profit, people and planet. Their profits are fed back into communities, through their Community Relations Division, helping to develop infrastructure and skills while building good relations. They also focus heavily in the personal and professional development of their employees. In terms of eco-consciousness, their plant is built and laid out in such a way as to preserve the surrounding forest. In addition, their level of environmental compliance exceeds the norm and is entirely voluntary.  Research and development aim at developing alternative energies from sugar cane and other sources, with the hopes of eventually diversifying their operations.

The Flow Tanks at STAATSOLIE

                                           

STAATSOLIE has partnered with multi-national companies from Europe and the USA among others, in order to assist in oil exploration. Although most of the oil is used for local consumption, the company also exports oil throughout the region. Based on STAATSOLIE’s medium-term plans, Suriname intends to produce a variety of oil products to export to the region, cementing their place as a dominant player. A point that was made clear throughout our visits today at CELOS and STAATSOLIE is that Suriname is in a transitional period and poised to do great things.

As we headed back to the hotel, we requested that the debriefing session be pushed back in order for us to go shopping in the town. We were given permission on the condition that the blog be completed by 9:00pm. Fortunately for us, the driver was stopping off at the hotel first before going into the city, so we were able to drop our bags off instead of having to take them with us. Mr. Ameerali then advised that we had only one minute in which to run up three flights of stairs to our rooms. As we hustled back to the maxi, we realized that some of us were missing. As we looked longingly at the hotel’s doors, we were happy to see Rahim running through. 

At this point, Mr. Ameerali gave the driver the signal wave to leave as he was already late. Just as the driver was pulling out of the hotel driveway, Ronald came outside. Although we pleaded with the driver, he refused to stop. Ronald attempted to run after the maxi but quickly accepted that it was a lost cause and threw up his hands in anger. Realizing that both Ronald and Dinesh had been left back, we made a collective decision to stop the maxi and disembark. This made us stronger as a unit as both Ronald and Dinesh were very appreciative of the gesture. We regrouped, stopped a maxi at the side of the road and were on our way, just like we would have at home in Trinidad. The shopping session was truly enjoyable and the walk back to the hotel was equally exhilarating.

Tomorrow we welcome Professor Persad to Suriname. We will also visit the Anton de Kom University where we will participate in a workshop in the morning and then visit the SAB Distillery in the afternoon.  

Suriname Study Tour Day 4

Today, started with dark grey clouds filling the skies of Paramaribo.  Reflecting from the previous night, we were all energized after having a wonderful Indonesian dinner compliments of Mr. Ameerali and Dr. Persadie at Sarinah restaurant.  In full business attire, we set out to attend our first meeting at the Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and the Environment.  Our associate, Mrs Gayatrie Beharie, from the Suriname Business Centre also joined us.

Meeting with the Minster of Labour, Technological Development and the Environment

As we walked to the office building, we were all awestruck by the magnificent beauty of the Colonial Dutch architecture. We were directed to their conference room where we awaited the Minister’s arrival.  As we were introduced to the Honourable Minister Miskin, he took the time to walk around and shake the hand of every person present. We couldn’t help but be impressed by the humility he displayed and how comfortable and excited he was to talk to us. Joining him were Mr. Steven S. Relyveld, the Permanent Secretary (quite unlike the position of Permanent Secretary in Trinidad and Tobago, which is “permanent”), Ms. Claudette L. Hiwat, the Deputy Secretary and Ms. Sima Sultan, the Coordinator of Technology and Development. Minister Miskin immediately expressed his willingness to entertain our questions concerning labour in Suriname and encouraged us to be open. All parties were very helpful and gave us a lot of useful information that afforded us a comprehensive understanding of how the Ministry operates. There are also policies that are in the discussion phase that are expected to improve the effectiveness of the Ministry in Suriname.

        

IIEM Class with Minister Miskin

Next on our stop was the Ministry of Education and Culture, which was merely a few minutes away from the Ministry of Labour. This was the shortest distance we travelled since we got to Suriname!  At the Ministry of Education, we were shown to the meeting room where we were introduced to Mr. Sidoel Stanley, Acting Permanent Secretary, and Mr. Leonel Soetosengo, the Vice Permanent Secretary, who briefed us on the Education Ministry’s portfolio and drew comparisons to Trinidad and Tobago’s method of education. We again had a question and answer session where a better understanding of their affairs and the challenges faced were understood.

Mr Nicholas Singh making presentations at the Ministry of Education and Culture

After this meeting we headed back to the hotel to change to casual attire to facilitate our meeting at the Stichting Behound Banonen Sector (SBBS) banana plantations.  Additionally, we were short on time and as such Mr. Ameerali indicated that we would pick up some KFC and Popeye’s to eat on the way, as we were all very hungry after a packed morning and an expectedly long afternoon. After hurriedly getting ready and boarding the bus, the discomfort of the highly humid weather conditions was evident. We found some relief as we reminisced on the many fun experiences that we had in Suriname thus far. There was a detailed comparison of the flavors of this KFC and that back home in Trinidad. Their KFC was very different to ours as they used seemingly different flavors and the condiments were not what we traditionally use.  We took approximately 45 minutes to get to the rural western district of Suriname known as Wanica. The area was comparable to the flats lands of south Trinidad with its large drains at the front of wooden houses and the many Hindu Temples and Mosques indicative of the people who reside in this district. We entered a gated region where the banana plantations exist. 

SBBS' vast banana plantation

Every single one of us was blown away by the expanse of land and the sheer number of trees at the plantation. Banana plants numbered in their millions and all swayed uniformly in the wind, each adorned with blue plastic bags which we later found out protect the fruit from damage and pests. We drove for what seemed like a mile to the administration building where we learnt about the methods of producing bananas as well as the limitations and challenges that exist.  From there, we were driven to the processing facilities to observe quality checks, cleaning, and boxing of bananas.

Bananas being cleaned at the process station

As a final part of our trip, we were shown the banana plantations and taught the many methods used in growing the bananas.  Then, we were offered bananas and a beverage for which we were extremely grateful after our enjoyable day.

With respect to our four themes, these were our findings on our visits today:

Entrepreneurship

There is an increase in internal migration from the rural hinterlands to urban Paramaribo. Individuals tend to move to Paramaribo in search of jobs since the jobs available in the hinterlands are predominantly agricultural. These rural areas are heavily dependent on manual labour along with individuals with the right skill set to manage. This movement of labour away from the agricultural areas seems to correlate to the 8% unemployment rate. The Ministry of Labour recognizes this and as such employs willing labour from Haiti and Guyana in the short run. These are unskilled workers who are then trained in agriculture. In the long run, the Ministry is promoting entrepreneurship, that is, individuals setting up their own businesses and creating employment for themselves and other individuals in their rural communities. This has the effect of strengthening the communities and reducing internal migration to the urban centre. This addresses the quantity side of the labour shortage. On the quality side of labour, in the short run, the Ministry has been collaborating with other countries, such as Trinidad and Tobago, who have graduates in agriculture and agribusiness to come across and provide those technical competencies. Promoting the country to the CARICOM can open opportunities for partnerships or even full ownership such as the discussions to privatize (SBBS) banana plantations. In the long run, the Ministry of Education has realized that developing a culture of entrepreneurship is a long process and has begun changing it curriculum to foster creativity and open thinking which directly speaks to entrepreneurship. 

Globalization

Shortage of labour, particularly in the agricultural and mineral sectors, has increased regional trade relations to Suriname. To satisfy the vacancies of the agricultural sector, Haitians and Guyanese were recruited for agricultural labour requirements while Chinese and Dutch in particular are utilized for top level management and specialized skill requirements particularly in the mining sector. In light of this challenge concerning skilled labour, Suriname’s education system is becoming more geared towards fulfilling local and global technical requirements. 

The planned use of ICT to educate, as well as the integration of multiple languages as part of both the secondary and primary school curriculum, equips students with the tools required for them to enhance economic growth and trade relations with CARICOM and Latin America nations. Additionally, there is also a move to implement the CSEC system as a method of educational certification which would allow them to have an equivalent standard in CARICOM. While agriculture faces a serious labour shortage, the SBBS has capitalized on the preferential trade agreements entered into with Europe and CARICOM to export its bananas. This allows Suriname-produced bananas to have a competitive edge over its Central and South American competitors. Also, Suriname has other advantages to producing bananas such as flat topography, a minimal threat of hurricanes and fertile soil. The lack of players at both the supply of raw materials and marketing stages is a major challenge to its banana production and sale.

Sustainability

Time and again, we have seen that sustainable development is a governmental objective in Suriname.  With this in mind, the Ministry of Labour aims to attain full employment and, indeed, has seen its unemployment rate drop 3% over the last two years. They achieved this by tackling the discrepancy between supply and demand of labour. While the size and diversity of the nation poses unique challenges, the Ministry of Labour is making strides towards producing skilled labour, providing employment avenues in their interior regions and standardize salaries. The Ministry of Education is consequently faced with the task of providing easily accessible education which meets the needs of the private sector. The Ministry understands that in order to meet these needs for the future, much change is required and as such they are undertaking a reform of their school system, updating and tailoring their curricula to meet varying student needs (urban vs rural education) and eliminating barriers to student motivation. In the agribusiness sector, sustainability also poses difficulties. 

Tour of SBSS banana plantation

Science, Technology and Innovation

The SBBS plantation was re-operationalised in 2002 as a result of the Surinamese Government’s Strategic Development Plan and is a valiant attempt at strengthening the agricultural sector and in fact is the nation’s largest employer. However, the banana industry is quite rigid and, as a result, requires chemically-intensive growing methods, which results in worker exposure to chemicals and unsustainable soil management. In addition, the demanding European market’s quality standards prevent automation, which would greatly improve the company’s efficiency and profitability.

Suriname Study Tour Day 3

Everyone was excited today as we were able to get more sleep than the previous days. Today started just as usual with a delicious breakfast. We enjoyed a variety of breads with smoked meat, peas and carrots and curried shrimp. As we finished breakfast, everyone, dressed in full business attire, boarded the bus, looking like a group of leaders headed for a high-level conference on world security. Our Dutch counterparts, Peter and Farida, as well as Winston from the Suriname Business Development Centre, also joined us as we headed to the Chamber of Commerce.

Ms. Rachel Perri presented the functions and purpose of the Chamber of Commerce. The presentation was truly engaging as we were taught about how the Chamber was created by an act of Cabinet and its main activities include registration of companies and dissemination of information about doing business in Suriname.  After the presentation, she invited questions concerning the Chamber’s purpose and provided adequate responses to supplement our required information needs. After the session, we were offered some light refreshments - soft drinks and snacks which we all enjoyed. Calva, however, enjoyed the snacks a little more than the rest of us and was therefore given the extras left from our meeting.

  

Vote of thanks to Suriname Chamber of Commerce 

Entrepreneurship was on the lips of all the representatives of the Suriname Chamber of Commerce (KKF). The Chamber of Commerce is actively supporting entrepreneurship by providing technical assistance such as individual coaching, market information and teaching individuals how to develop a business plan. This has the effect of increasing the chances of obtaining funding. The success of this can be seen in the statistics with 1809 businesses being registered in 2010 compared to 2556 being registered for the following year. This is a notable difference however that same period corresponded to 586 businesses closures. There needs to be some analytical work to discover why this is because fostering sustainable entrepreneurship in Suriname is a twofold process. The first step is increasing the number of entrepreneurs; the second is providing the right skill sets and support to reduce the risk of businesses closures. This support can be sourced from the Suriname Manufacturers Association (ASFA) for businesses that fall within that branch the Chamber of Commerce and the University. 

The visit to the Chamber of Commerce went over time, prompting Rahim, one of the two team leaders, to remind the team of the importance of time management. He also encouraged us to keep our questions to a minimum, asking only those that were pertinent. The next stop was the Associative Van Surinaamse Fabickten [Manufacturing Association of Suriname] (ASFA). We were warmly greeted and escorted to the conference room where we were shown a 5-minute video clip of the activities of ASFA from some of its member representatives. The Surinamese manufacturing sector is made up primarily of small to medium companies who are heavily concentrated in food, beverage and chemicals.  

IIEM Staff and students with ASFA representatives

This association is very alive when it comes to entrepreneurship with its aim of instilling pride in promoting the brand “Made in Suriname”. There are approximately 600 manufacturers in Suriname but only 110 are members of the Manufacturing Association. Due to traditionally low volumes of manufacturing, the industry has not ventured to export their goods internationally. Just about 10% to 15% of the members export their goods; however, there is a move to begin exporting throughout the region. The association is also promoting the export of value-added goods as opposed to solely exporting raw materials.

Additionally, the ASFA gives a voice to a range of local manufacturing companies - from wine distilleries to powdered soap manufacturing; currently, they are the representatives for 18.3% of all local manufacturing companies. Based on what was shown to our group during the meeting on the current technology, we saw several opportunities for Suriname to become more versed in their manufacturing sector. This included areas such as:

·      Becoming more innovative in small-scale designs with respect to agricultural and alcohol downstream industries

·        Possibility of assimilating all manufacturing companies into the ASFA.

The presenters made it very clear of their future prospects of entering the CARICOM market, but readily identified their current problem which was a lack of human resource to supply the required needs.  At the end of our presentation, the ASFA members thanked us for our interest in Suriname and they encouraged our participation in their economic development.

Our third stop for the day was the Anton de Kom University of Suriname. A very informative presentation was done by Mr. Saboerali about the history and the current operations of the University, which was established in November 1968. It was named after Anton de Kom, a freedom fighter who was exiled from Suriname because of his revolutionary thinking and later died in a concentration camp. The university has three faculties: Technology, Social Sciences and Medical. Each of these faculties greatly impact upon the needs of the country, as the university is mainly government funded.  

Anton de Kom

To prevent the development of the manufacturing sector from outpacing the development of a skilled labour force, the Aton de Kom University of Suriname was established with the core objective of supporting national development. Ever forward thinking, the University also provides a range of higher degrees specifically focusing on sustainable development. Their solutions-oriented research feeds back into national development policies which ensure the ability of the Surinamese people to meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future.

Here, we learnt that the University has an active science and technology section who were engaged in venture capitalism. Telesur Multimedia Instructional Lab (TMIL) helps companies develop businesses related software and, if successful, the company would pay a percentage to the University for use of the facility.

Also, the University is currently investigating ways to properly manage its country’s vast natural resources. It is currently engaged in projects to investigate the ways in which the University’s design projects can be used to fulfil the country’s sustainability needs. We discovered that research was being focused on:

• Hydroponics
• Computer Programming
• Physical and Chemical testing

The University has international partners in Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, Cuba, the United States of America, Belgium and the Netherlands. There are few foreign students as a result of the Bachelor programmes being taught completely in Dutch. The University undertakes student foreign exchange programmes with partnering universities.

The University was highly interested in our IIEM program and was engaging in serious discussions about adopting the IIEM program for their needs. At this point, our tour guide, “Ben”, treated us to a tour of the campus. Ben explained the location of each faculty and the major projects undertaken by each and how it operates. They seek to develop quality education with the hope that it would result in a better quality of life for Surinamese people.

After leaving the University campus, to Rahim’s utter dismay, Dr. Persadie announced that we would be having lunch at his rival, Roopram’s Roti Shop. We were all amazed by the level of development that this roti shop had in Suriname as opposed to Trinidad. We were ecstatic to have lunch be a familiar food with a slight difference in taste and presentation. Our group leader, Rahim, however, was very critical of this roti and compared the small details to our roti back home. Our friend, Peter, from the Netherlands found it very awkward to eat the roti using his fingers. In the end, he got used to it and became an expert “roti eater”.  As we returned to the bus, we were told that our visit to the Suriname Business Development Center was postponed, so we headed to our hotel to prepare for dinner at Sarinah, an Indonesian restaurant.

Sarinah was a memorable experience from the food to the décor, the highlight of the latter being the pond filled with exotic fishes, complete with a bridge over the pond. The menu card included the English translation and this was a welcomed surprise. The food surpassed our expectations in quality and, more so, quantity. Everyone was amazed by the sheer volume of food the order turned out to be and most people had to get “doggy bags”. Also available were souvenir items which some persons purchased from the restaurant, inclusive of hand carved bowls and an instrument that seemed to be made of bamboo.

It was an exhausting day and most people retired to bed on arrival at the hotel. Tomorrow, our journey continues as we head to the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Education. We will also be visiting a banana plantation. Join us again as we walk you through our experiences.

Suriname Study Tour Day 2

Our day started early with breakfast at 6:30am. Today’s menu reflected the same authenticity as yesterday’s. There was an assortment of breads, smoked herring and curried pork. The highlight was a cheese that was embedded with a herb that tasted like curry. After breakfast, we loaded into the maxi and started our journey to Alliance. Accompanying us on the trip were Ms. Farida Augustin, Mr. Peter Laan, both Dutch interns at the Suriname Business Centre (SBC), and Mr. Winston Weilson of the SBC.



Mr. Wielson 



As we entered the city, it was quite interesting to see the section where the buildings were of a standard architectural design, Dutch Colonial, giving the illusion of being in a completely different place.  As we drove further along, we entered what seemed to be the shopping district. There were a lot of businesses, clothing stores, restaurants, car dealerships and supermarkets, most of them seemingly Chinese-owned.

We were astonished by the engineering design of the Jules Wijdenbosch Bridge, which rose over the Suriname River. As we drew closer to our destination, we noticed that the structure of the houses changed from flat concrete designs to two-storey wooden ones. Our ride comprised two phases: the first was a one hour drive; the second saw us on a one-hour journey via boat down the Suriname River to Alliance.

The boad on the Suriname River

       

The ride was quite enjoyable, from the rush to get to the side of the boat without sun, to the unexpected waves that attempted to bathe us. During the boat ride, we were entertained with music of all genres. Then, all of a sudden, the engine sputtered and stopped. The pilot then had to choose between music and continuing along; we continued along without music.

On our way to Alliance

Before going to Alliance we stopped off at Baki, where we visited a small museum located in a primary school. This contained historical artefacts that gave an insight into the rich cultural heritage of the Surinamese people.

Dutch Colonial History

                                                             
The plantation’s museum showed convincing signs that globalization was taking place even long before the term itself was coined. Globalization is a multi-national system of communication and integration driven by information technology among people, companies, and governments.

Both the Baki and Alliance plantations were producing agricultural products such as bananas, cocoa and citrus since the 17^th century during Dutch colonization. Additionally, archives showed patents awarded for the plantation’s innovation during the 18^th century. The multiple cultures that were brought to the plantations also brought their cultures, ideologies and associated trade ties from their lands of origin. There are signs that globalization is still occurring today. Foreign investment, having a Facebook page and a bi-lingual website (http://www.warappakreek.com/?lang=en) are indicators of this. The eco-resort has between 300-400 visitors per weekend, from regional and international visitors - an indication that their outward reach is successful.

Alliance Sunshine Plantation

                                                         

When our group visited the Alliance Sunshine Plantation, we did not know what to expect. Located along the bank of the Suriname River was one of the most innovative and self-sustained farming communities we have experienced. On our arrival at Alliance, we were greeted with much-needed lunch, hungry from our long journey. This time the menu included Saoto (a soup made with noodles, bean sprouts, chicken and egg) Bami, (Javanese noodles), fried rice with strips of egg, grated potato fried and cooked in a sweet and pepper sauce, kiustband, a green string bean and a pepper sauce made from sweetened roasted peppers known as sambal.

After lunch, to our surprise, we were treated to a tour of the citrus plantation, on a tractor. There are 2,100 hectares of land at the plantation, but only 100 hectares are being used. This is in part due to a shortage of labour. It was interesting to see how knowledgeable the farmers were about their trade.

Enjoying the Tractor Tour at Alliance

                                                         

When looking at areas in which the community applies technology, we were impressed by the methods used by the farmers to effectively utilize their resources. For example, this community obtains its own electricity by using dams to generate hydroelectric power for the village. This energy is then used to power their homes, water treatment plant and generally any other power requirement.

This community, however, has room for improvement in the area of science and technology in order for them to become sustainable in the long run. On analyzing the existing technologies used on the plantation, we recognized potential applications that could be used for expansion of their hydro-electric processing. This would be the most appropriate and inexpensive method of energy generation due to the abundant supply of water from the Suriname River. Not only will this assist with the development of the community, it will also provide a future avenue for revenue generation for Suriname.

Like many CARICOM countries, Suriname is aiming to increase its food security; it is, therefore, imperative to build and maintain their agricultural sector in as sustainable a manner as possible. Today’s trip highlighted the unique challenges that agriculture poses to sustainability. The residents of Alliance are tasked with maintaining citrus production, while protecting the Suriname River. In addition to this, they must satisfy the community’s needs, and compete with increasingly strong global forces. This visit provided a clear understanding of how community initiatives and the resulting downstream cottage industries can be developed to stimulate the local economy. To use the bathroom facilities we paid 2 SRD, also the meal cost 15 SRD, there was a price attached to everything and this is how they made their living. In a situation such as this, the greatest challenge lies in working with the youth; investing in developing their skill base while developing a community which is supportive and attractive to the younger generation. 

The spirit of entrepreneurship is alive in Suriname. This was evident when we visited Alliance. This name was given to symbolize the co-operation that exists between all member villages. The combined population of these villages is approximately 110 people.  The working population of Alliance is predominantly employed by the government in the citrus fields. In an effort to earn extra income, they have found some innovative ways of accomplishing this. They do this by opening their villages to visitors allowing them view their Museum and use amenities at the site for an additional cost. Also visitors can enjoy a local cuisine and dining accommodations at reasonable cost by the villagers.

At the end of our tour of Alliance, on our way back we realised that there was another boat docked at the jetty waiting to load produce for transportation. We were then informed by someone awaiting transportation of the first-docked first- leave policy. At this point, the IIEM boys jumped into action offloading the produce from the truck and onto the boat so that we could all board and depart. Hats off to Ronald who championed the cause. He jumped onto the truck and facilitated the quick and effective offloading. Both Ronald and his group were then rewarded with three beastly cold 1.5-litre Coca-Colas. He was received with much applause by the rest of the group.

IIEM Group hard at work

                                                     

We then set off on our very long journey back to the hotel. Join us tomorrow as we share our experiences from our visits to the Suriname Business Centre, the Chamber of Commerce and the Suriname Trade & Industry Association.