Prime Minister Mercelina highlights strategic opportunities from official visit to Suriname

GREAT BAY--Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina on Wednesday shared key outcomes from his recent official visit to the Republic of Suriname, where he represented St. Maarten at the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of Suriname’s independence.

The Prime Minister described it as “an honor to represent St. Maarten in Suriname,” noting that his participation not only celebrated an important national milestone for Suriname, but also strengthened the bilateral relationship between St. Maarten and Suriname, including ties with the large Surinamese diaspora community living on the island.

During his visit, Prime Minister Mercelina held a courtesy meeting with the President of Suriname. “We had a constructive one-on-one meeting to strengthen our working relationship at the economic level and to see how we can expand Caribbean cooperation in areas such as climate resilience, energy transition and trade,” he said.

Focus on cooperation in food security, health, energy, commerce and aviation

The Prime Minister used the opportunity of the visit to explore practical avenues for cooperation that can support St. Maarten’s development, with a particular focus on:

• Food security
• Health collaboration and professional exchanges
• Energy and energy diversification
• Commerce and private sector partnerships
• Aviation and regional connectivity

In meetings with Suriname’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Agriculture, Husbandry and Fisheries, Prime Minister Mercelina discussed the potential for collaboration on agricultural training, technical support and knowledge-sharing that could strengthen St. Maarten’s food security and resilience.

Drawing on his professional background in health, the Prime Minister also held talks with Suriname’s Minister of Health. He expressed appreciation for the contribution of Surinamese nurses and medical professionals already working in St. Maarten and explored possibilities for expanding health-sector cooperation, including training and exchange programs to support the island’s healthcare system.

Engagement with business and port stakeholders

Prime Minister Mercelina met with representatives of the Surinamese business community, including the Suriname Chamber of Commerce, to discuss opportunities for private-sector partnerships.

“These discussions focused on exploring cooperation in tourism and identifying ways for our small and medium-sized enterprises to work together and contribute to economic growth in both countries,” he explained.

The Prime Minister also visited the Port of Suriname to learn more about its operations, logistics and supply chain management. “It was valuable to see firsthand how they manage their port and harbor. Visits like these provide insights and ideas that can help us continue improving our own port operations in St. Maarten,” he said.

In addition, he held talks with the state oil company on developments related to Suriname’s offshore oil discoveries and potential opportunities for collaboration in energy and diversification. Following coordination with the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication, Grisha Heyliger-Marten, the Prime Minister also met with Suriname Airways to explore options for future air connectivity between Suriname and St. Maarten as part of broader efforts to enhance regional air links and commercial ties.

Strengthening regional and Kingdom partnerships

Throughout the visit, Prime Minister Mercelina underscored the importance of regional cooperation in areas such as trade, climate resilience and energy transition, especially in light of global economic uncertainties and shifting trade dynamics.

“It is essential that we continue to explore alternative paths to secure our trade and economic interests,” he said. “By working closely with regional partners like Suriname, we can create new opportunities for St. Maarten and strengthen our resilience as a small island nation.”

The Prime Minister also attended the extraordinary session of Suriname’s National Assembly, the official military parade and the cultural events marking the 50th anniversary of independence, underscoring St. Maarten’s solidarity with the people and Government of Suriname.

Concluding his remarks, Prime Minister Mercelina extended heartfelt thanks to the people of Suriname and the Surinamese community in St. Maarten.

“I want to thank the people of Suriname and the Surinamese diaspora in St. Maarten for their friendship and hospitality,” he said. “I was very impressed by their warmth and by the quality of their cuisine. Our nations share strong human and cultural ties, and this visit has strengthened my resolve to deepen our cooperation for the benefit of all our people.”

Photo caption: From left: Prime Minister of Curacao Gilmar "Pik" Pisas, Prie Minister of the Netherlands Dick Schoof, and Prime Minister of St. Maarten Luc Mercelina.