Suriname and the Netherlands have agreed on how to spend the last 17 million euros of the so-called treaty funds. It has been agreed that the money will go to health care and the agricultural sector. Minister Liesje Schreinemacher (Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation) announced this on Tuesday afternoon (local time) at a press conference of her and Prime Minister Rutte during a two-day visit to Suriname.
When Suriname became independent in 1975, the country received a converted amount of 1.59 billion euros in treaty resources. The money that is left will be spent, in approximately equal proportions, on health care and the strengthening of the agricultural sector. Suriname announced its choice for these sectors on Tuesday. Schreinemacher has also concluded an agreement with six Dutch companies. According to the minister, the companies that traveled with Rutte see many possibilities and opportunities in Suriname. Schreinemacher spoke of “the beginning of a beautiful collaboration”.
The ministers held their last press conference at the end of the afternoon on Tuesday. As a closing activity, a visit to the Surinamese Brewery was on the agenda. According to that agenda, Rutte and his delegation will leave for the Netherlands around 8 p.m. (local time).