Grupo Rialma, a Brazilian cattle firm, is considering making an investment in Suriname. On Friday, August 11, 2023, a representative of this corporation, including CEO Emival Caiado, appeared beside President Chandrikapersad Santokhi. Grupo Rialma stated its plans to engage in extensive livestock production in Suriname during the courtesy visit. The conference also included the ministers of foreign affairs, international trade, and international cooperation (BIBIS), Albert Ramdin, and Parmanand Sewdien, who oversees agriculture, animal husbandry, and fishing (LVV).
The company is also active in the chicken sector and further specializes in energy generation. Minister Ramdin says that investments of tens of millions are involved if the company starts doing business in Suriname. He calls Grupo Rialma a concrete example of a Brazilian company with a good reputation and clear merits in areas where it operates. “So we would like to see them come,” said the minister, who added that Grupo Rialma’s business plan and the effects of this company on the environment will be examined critically. Minister Ramdin is convinced that any investment will benefit the Surinamese economy. He mentions, among other things, the creation of employment. All this was discussed in the meeting with President Santokhi. According to the BIBIS minister, more talks will follow and the hope is that an interesting investment proposal will be made by the company from the southern neighboring country.
The minister notes that Grupo Rialma has the potential to supply the entire Caribbean with beef and chicken. Minister Ramdin therefore immediately refers to Suriname’s attempts to guarantee its own food security and also to increase the export potential to the region. “Obviously, local conditions must be taken into account. Of course we do not want our local production to be destroyed,” says the minister.
The next step in the talks with Grupo Rialma is that the Suriname Investment & Trade Agency (SITA) comes into the picture. Minister Ramdin: “They have to do some research and will work together on the business plan.” The minister says that an impact study is always done for this type of investment. “So that is all important to assess whether such a project is good to continue and contribute to development,” says the government official. He explains that SITA, as an independent body, is charged with attracting and guiding investors. According to the minister, there is broad interest in investing in Suriname. He refers, among other things, to the group of Chinese investors who were also received by the president on Thursday. According to him, the most important thing is to find out what is good and interesting for Suriname.
