Surinamese producers shine at the 12th edition of LAC Flavors, the largest matchmaking event for the food and beverage sector in Latin America and the Caribbean. With innovative products, strong networking skills and a shared focus on rural development, the Surinamese delegation caught the attention of buyers and investors from around the globe.
A Platform for Rural Women’s Products
One of the highlights for the Surinamese delegation was the opportunity to showcase products made by rural women under the mantle of women’s cooperative Wi! Uma fu Sranan (WUFS – “We the Women of Suriname”) on a special stage. LAC Flavors 2024, organized jointly by APEX, Brazil’s Export Agency and IDB serves as a great platform to showcase the story and uniqueness of these products to an international audience. The passion, dedication and professionalism of these women captured the eyes of many and led to valuable contacts with potential buyers and investors for the cooperative.
Products with Global Potential
In addition to products from rural women, Suriname displayed products from other companies including Sishado’s delicious sauces, tasty meat products from Jammie Food and our “Tropical Pride” Surinamese chips. The variety in unique taste of the products attracted the attention of buyers from many different countries, especially Latin America, the U.S., Europe and Asia. All companies received serious interest from buyers and are now preparing to send samples to various countries.
A Coordinated Effort
Suriname’s presence at LAC Flavors was due to a coordinated effort by several actors, including the companies themselves, the IDB (Inter-American Development Bank), and the Suriname Investment and Trade Agency (SITA). SITA is the national Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (TIPA) of Suriname, and is currently operating under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Business, and International Cooperation of Suriname. The goal of SITA is to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Suriname and act as the one-stop-shop for foreign investors, supporting them in everything they need to establish their business in Suriname.
SITA also promotes Surinamese exports, helping local companies to establish international commercial ties. SITA worked together with IDB to support the Surinamese delegation and to increase the visibility of Surinamese products at the event by providing a cost-sharing grant and an attractive booth which was well visited by potential customers from around the world. The positive reactions and the interest shown by buyers and investors are a building block to further growth and success for the Surinamese food and beverage sector.
Providing more export opportunities for Surinamese products
Future plans from SITA include promoting Suriname’s food and beverage products at the SIAL International Trade Fair in Paris, the largest food fair in the world.
Surinamese companies interested in obtaining further information about the package SITA is offering to companies and how to register, are invited to visit our Web site through this link: https://sita.sr/export-opportunity-for-surinamese-businesses-in-the-agro-and-beverages-industry/
