At the invitation of the Turkish Government, Vice President of Suriname, Robert Ameerali, will lead his country’s first high-level visit on March 7 to Turkey and hold bi-lateral talks with Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, which is seen as a major boast for a small developing state like Suriname with Turkey, an emerging global and economic power that is expect to join the BRICS group soon. 

 

The aim of the visit is to strengthen political and economic relations between the two countries. 

Ankara and Paramaribo are expected to sign four agreements in the fields of trade and during Ameerali’s visit.  Also, Suriname and Turkey are expected to adopt a visa free regime for their respective nationals travelling between the two countries.

 

Vice President Ameerali was Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Suriname.

Ameerali is praised for his advocacy for Surinamese entrepreneurs.   He participated regularly in national, regional and international conferences using his knowledge and experience about entrepreneurship and negotiating missions on behalf of Suriname. 

 

 

Turkey’s Honourary Consul in Suriname, Mr. Bousaid, and director of the Hakrinbank said that Ankara is the 15^th biggest economy and that Turkey has emerged as a global economic and political power and is very interested in the Caribbean, South and Latin American markets. 

 

According Bousaid, Turkey would love to invest in Suriname. Suriname in turn is keen to attract foreign direct investments. Turkey is interested in the mining, logging and agriculture sectors of Suriname. "We can make good use of the possibilities, but on the other hand, Turkey is also interested in buying Surinamese products, such as wood," says Bousaid. According to him, the imports from Turkey are increasing. The products are slightly more expensive than those from China, but they are of a better quality. 

 

A great deal of diplomacy and planning went into this upcoming mission to Ankara. Turkey’s Ambassador to Suriname, Mr. ErÇin, who is based in Brazil, made over three visits to Suriname to flesh out some of the upcoming agreements that are expected to be signed in Ankara between Suriname and Turkey.

 

Turkey has since expanded relations with Suriname, Cuba, other Caribbean countries and Latin America. According to ErÇin, Suriname is very important for Turkey. Suriname is seen as a bridge to markets in the Caribbean and Latin America. ErÇin note that Suriname will soon hold the leadership position as chairman of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR). 

 

In Havana (Cuba), Turkey has already set up an embassy. Turkey will also open an embassy in the Dominican Republic. In addition, Turkey already opened several embassies in South America.