Doing business in Commewijne
Commewijne lies across the Suriname River and has been linked to Paramaribo by the Jules Wijdenbosch Bridge since 2000. The capital is Nieuw Amsterdam; Meerzorg, with 12,405 inhabitants (2012), is the largest town. Between 2004 and 2012 the district grew 27.5% to 31,420 inhabitants.
On this page (8)
- Economy: Farming, tourism (plantations), suburbs.
- Local licences: the district commissioner (food and drink, events, street stalls, Nuisance Act).
- National: KKF registration, FIN tax number and taxes; the rules are the same everywhere in Suriname.
- Figures: census 2012 (ABS), the latest official count.
Economy and employers
In the 18th century Commewijne was the main plantation area, and its economy still largely runs on farming. The Mariënburg sugar factory closed in 1986. What grows now is housing, trade and tourism: day trips to old plantations, Fort Nieuw Amsterdam (1747) and the Braamspunt nature reserve, where sea turtles nest. Meerzorg has been designated a regional centre, and companies and banks are opening branches there.
Access and infrastructure
The East-West Link runs from Meerzorg via Tamanredjo and Moengo to Albina (138 km). The bridge over the Commewijne River near Stolkertsijver dates from 1980.
Opportunities for business
- Day trips and agritourism: guided tours, bike rental, food and stays on plantations.
- Shops and services in the growing towns of Meerzorg and Tamanredjo.
- Farming for the Paramaribo market, just across the bridge.
- Construction, installation and maintenance for new housing estates.
These are possibilities that fit the district economy, not a promise of customers. Test an idea first with conversations and numbers. Writing a business plan
Practical: where to arrange what
Tax office Commewijne: Oost-Westverbinding 16 (1960 extension 298 or 299). Local licences: district commissioner's office Commewijne. KKF registration is handled in Paramaribo.
The district commissioner's forms, fees and processing times are not published centrally. Check them with the office before you rent or invest. How district government works: Business by district.
Ressorts
Commewijne is divided into 6 ressorts:
- Alkmaar
- Bakkie
- Margaretha
- Meerzorg
- Nieuw Amsterdam
- Tamanredjo
Guides that help next
- Start a business
- Business licences
- Buying land and property
- Business financing
- Hiring staff
- Tenders
- Starting an agribusiness
Other districts
- Paramaribo
- Wanica
- Nickerie
- Coronie
- Saramacca
- Marowijne
- Para
- Brokopondo
- Sipaliwini
- Compare all districts
Sources
- ABS: Definitieve resultaten Census 8, bevolking en oppervlakte per district
- ABS: Census 8 districtsresultaten Nickerie, Coronie, Saramacca, Commewijne en Para (2014)
- City Population: districten en ressorten met censuscijfers van het ABS
- Commewijne District (Wikipedia)
- Oost-Westverbinding: route, bruggen en veerdiensten (Wikipedia)
Population and area: ABS (General Bureau of Statistics), Eighth Census 2012 (final results). The ninth census has been carried out, but ABS has not published results yet; the current population is likely different.
Checked on 26 October 2026. General information, not legal advice.