Indonesia–Suriname relations

Indonesia–Suriname relations

Indonesia
Suriname

Indonesia and Suriname established diplomatic relations on 24 January 1976.[1] Both had a special relationship,[2] based upon shared common history as former colonies of the Dutch Empire. Large numbers of Javanese migrated to Suriname to work on plantations during the late 19th and early 20th-centuries. Indonesia has an embassy in Paramaribo also accredited to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, while Suriname has an embassy in Jakarta. Indonesia and Suriname are members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and Forum of East Asia-Latin America Cooperation.

History

The historical links between Indonesia and Suriname dating back to the migration of Indonesians (especially Javanese) to Suriname in 1890. During colonial Dutch East Indies in 19th-century, to fulfill labor need in its other colonies, the Dutch began to send large numbers of Javanese to work in Suriname. Most of them works in plantation and agriculture sectors. Today, around 70,000 citizens, or 15 percent of Suriname's demographic, have Javanese descent;[2] some of its officials, such as cabinet ministers, are also Javanese. Bilateral diplomatic relations were officially established in 1975, although there had been an Indonesian Consulate General in Paramaribo since 1964.[3]

Economy and trade

Indonesia sees Suriname as a strategic partner in the region, as its gate and trade hub to enter the Latin America market. The volume of bilateral trade in 2012, reached US$8.9 million in favour to Indonesia. In 2012 Indonesia's exports to Suriname was $7.1 million while imports was $1.8 million, resulting in $5.3 million surplus in trade balances for Indonesia.[2] Indonesia sells textile, furniture, clothes, household equipment's, plastic equipment's, shoes, cooking ingredients and musical instruments to Suriname.[4]

Culture

Indonesian's Yogyakarta and Suriname's Commewijne, signed sister cities agreement on 4 April 2011.[5] The common Javanese culture among Javanese Indonesian and Javanese Surinamese also bridges the common cultural and historical links between two countries.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Soft Launching Peringatan Bersama 50 Tahun Hubungan Diplomatik Indonesia – Suriname Melalui Partisipasi Dalam Acara Jalan Santai Bigi Broki Waka". kemlu.go.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  2. ^ a b c "Indonesia, Suriname set for stronger cooperation". The Jakarta Post. March 19, 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  3. ^ Indonesia-Suriname Bilateral Relations
  4. ^ Heru (March 18, 2013). "Indonesia, Suriname set for stronger cooperation". Antara News. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  5. ^ "Kerjasama Sister City, Eratkan RI-Suriname" (in Indonesian). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Indonesia. April 7, 2011. Retrieved May 2, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
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