Suriname

The economy of Suriname continued to perform robustly in 2010, recording 4.4% growth, compared with 2.2% in 2009. This performance was driven by buoyant activity in the construction sector and increased government spending. The overall fiscal balance is estimated to have gone from a surplus at 3.5% of GDP in a deficit of 14.1% of GDP in 2010. The inflation rate rose to 10% at the end of the year, owing to higher prices for food and fuels and wage increases awarded to civil servants. By February 2011, inflation had accelerated to 18.8 %, and remains a concern to policymakers. Meanwhile, in early 2011, the authorities devalued the Surinamese dollar by 20%, bringing the official rate in line with the rate in the parallel market. The balance-of-payments current account surplus is estimated to have improved significantly (by 230.7%) to stand at US$ 692.2 million or approximately 2% of GDP, owing to strong prices for mineral exports. Net international reserves increased by US$ 34.3 million to US$ 757.1 million at the end of the year, which represents approximately four months of imports.

Reply to the United Nations national accounts questionnaire from the Algemeen Bureau Voor de Statistiek, Paramaribo. The official estimates are published by the Bureau in "Nationale Rekeningen van Suriname". Extensive sources and methods are available in the National Accounts publication.