Strengthening the economic cooperation between the Republic of Suriname and the Republic of Indonesia was the common thread during a meeting between the chairman of the National Assembly (DNA), Marinus Bee and ambassador Julang Pujianto. The diplomat paid an introductory visit to the parliament speaker yesterday. Suriname and Indonesia have a special relationship based on a shared common history as former colonies of the Netherlands.

The historical ties between the countries go back to 1890 when Indonesians, especially Javanese, migrated to Suriname to work on plantations. Fifteen percent of the Surinamese population is of Javanese descent, many of whom have been ministers, parliamentarians and chairman of DNA. From 1975 there are bilateral relations between the two countries.

Suriname can be a strategic partner and act as a gateway and trade hub for Indonesia to enter the Latin American market. “The special historical and cultural relationship between our countries will only strengthen the bilateral partnership in several respects. We need to re-engage each other to strengthen cooperation that can translate into concrete results for both countries, ”said Bee.

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