The banana industry in Suriname is going through a major resurgence thanks to national government and EU aid programmes. The state-controlled Foundation for Preservation of the Suriname Banana Sector (SBBS) has received millions of dollars in investment since 2002, which will ultimately lead to the privatisation of the sector.

Anand Ramkisoensing, manager of the SBBS, said: “In Suriname we have optimal conditions for the production of bananas, and we should take advantage of this. We don’t have heavy earthquakes, hurricanes or other natural disasters, which contributes to continuous production in the sector.” Now he is aiming for Suriname to become the largest banana-producing country in the Caricom region. Banana production in the country in north-eastern South America is rising steadily, from 46,500 tonnes last year to 60,000t this year, and a forecast 70,000t in 2008. Last week, the European Commission and Suriname signed a deal with a French contractor to build a new irrigation system for the sector worth €3.6 million (£2.6m).

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