The Dutch entrepreneur Gerard van den Tweel is honorary consul of Suriname in Netherlands. Recently he was cleared by the previous government Bouterse. Van den Tweel hopes cooled relations between the Netherlands and Suriname can improve.
The appointment of Van den Tweel has been put in motion one year ago. His political experience as VVD and his contacts in the industry are strong pluses. Netherlands has yet to accept, he says: "The papers come to the Foreign Minister. If they agree you have it." Van den Tweel does not expect any problems, Prime Minister Mark Rutte has already congratulated him.
Good band
Investors bring to Suriname for the businessman his main task. "It has taken a cautious approach." But according to Van den Tweel will change now that the new government the right direction. A good relationship building among entrepreneurs in the Netherlands and Suriname is his priority.
The entrepreneur himself has no concrete plans for setting up companies in Suriname. On Curaçao, he has a big branch of the Dutch supermarket Albert Heijn launched. He hopes that in Suriname is also interested in such a store. "There are many Surinamese who know the formula of Albert Heijn." Van den Tweel is thinking of a joint venture with a local entrepreneur.
Surinamese entrepreneurs are also welcome if they want to start operations in the Netherlands. "It is quite possible. I have many contacts in the Netherlands." As a VVD politician says that a proper cooperation between Suriname and the Netherlands. "You do not become friends, but both governments are democratically elected. Then you have several years work together."
BES islands
Meanwhile, Van den Tweel is also Caribbean parts of the Netherlands does not stand still. He sees good business opportunities as there have been three Dutch municipalities. Doing business with Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba is a lot more interesting, he says. On Bonaire, he has bought land to build a new supermarket: "The procurement is one of these days."