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Doing business in Paramaribo

Paramaribo is the capital and economic centre of Suriname. It is home to the ministries, the banks, the seaport and most companies. At the 2012 census 240,924 people lived there, over 44% of the country, on just 182 km².

Capital
Paramaribo
12 ressorts
Population (2012)
240,924
44.5% of Suriname; -0.8% since 2004
Area
182 km²
1,323.8 people per km²
On this page (8)
In short
  • Economy: Trade, government, banking, port, services, tourism.
  • 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

Trade, government, financial services, transport and tourism carry the city. Most wholesalers, importers, banks, insurers and consultancies have their head office here. The historic inner city has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2002 and draws tourists. For oil and gas, Paramaribo is becoming the base: Kuldipsingh Port Facility signed a ten-year contract with TotalEnergies in November 2025 for a logistics base for the GranMorgu project (starting in the first quarter of 2026), and Tenaris opened a 74,500 m² service centre for drilling pipe in July 2026. Between 2004 and 2012 the population fell slightly (-0.8%) while Wanica, Para and Commewijne grew fast: many of your customers live just outside the city.

Access and infrastructure

The Dr. Jules Sedney Harbour, with DP World's container terminal, is the country's main seaport. Domestic and charter flights leave from Zorg en Hoop; international flights go through Johan Adolf Pengel airport in Zanderij (Para). The Jules Wijdenbosch Bridge (2000) links the city with Meerzorg in Commewijne and is part of the East-West Link from Albina to Nieuw Nickerie.

Opportunities for business

  • Services for oil and gas: logistics, maintenance, catering, security, housing. Expect strict safety (HSE) and certification requirements.
  • Business services for small firms: bookkeeping, IT, payroll, translation.
  • Food, drink and tourism around the historic inner city, with a licence from the district commissioner.
  • Delivery and online sales: many customers in a small area.

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

Trade register: KKF, Gravenberchstraat 33. Taxes: Van Sommelsdijckstraat 27 (direct taxes and VAT). Customs: Havenlaan 1. Paramaribo is split into several administrative areas, each with its own district commissioner. Licences for restaurants and bars, events, street stalls and the Nuisance Act are issued by the commissioner's office for the area where your business will be, for example Paramaribo North-East on Van Sommelsdijckstraat.

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

Paramaribo is divided into 12 ressorts:

  • Beekhuizen
  • Blauwgrond
  • Centrum
  • Flora
  • Latour
  • Livorno
  • Munder
  • Pontbuiten
  • Rainville
  • Tammenga
  • Weg naar Zee
  • Welgelegen

Guides that help next

Other districts

Sources

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.