SITA support helps Chepito Healing Oil move closer to export markets
Paramaribo, Suriname – Surinamese cosmetics company Chepito Healing Oil is in the final phase of an international certification process that will help position the business for export growth, with support from the Suriname Investment and Trade Agency (SITA) through its Cost Share Grant Scheme.
Founded in 2015, Chepito Healing Oil produces natural hair and skin care products and is now taking important steps to meet international market requirements. With support from SITA, the company has advanced product testing, certification, packaging, labeling and broader business professionalisation needed to compete beyond Suriname.
Chepito first entered SITA’s export support pathway in 2025, when it was selected to participate in an export initiation programme. Through that process, the company worked with an export coach to assess its market potential, identify gaps, and define the steps needed to become export-ready.
That work led to a clear roadmap for product improvement, certification and market positioning. The Cost Share Grant then helped the company finance key investments that are often difficult for small and growing businesses to carry on their own, including microbiological and dermatological testing, packaging and labeling improvements, sample distribution, e-commerce related costs, and selected business development activities.
Raoul Chong, Director of Trade at SITA, underlined that the grant scheme is designed to help Surinamese companies overcome the practical barriers that often stand between a strong product and export market entry. “One of the biggest barriers for small and growing companies is the cost of taking the final steps toward export readiness. The Cost Share Grant Scheme is designed to help overcome that barrier by supporting investments in testing, certification, packaging and market preparation. Chepito is a strong example of how this support can help a local business move toward international opportunity.”
Founder Cynthia Draaibaar is thrilled about the support that has helped the company move faster and more confidently toward its next stage of growth. “Building a brand to international standard takes persistence, investment and a willingness to keep improving,” said Draaibaar. “SITA’s support has made it possible for us to take important steps that would otherwise have been much more difficult, both financially and practically.”
As Suriname’s trade and investment promotion agency, SITA works to support businesses with the potential to grow, export and contribute to economic diversification. By combining technical guidance with co-financing, SITA helps companies address barriers that often prevent promising firms from reaching international markets.
Chepito’s progress also points to broader benefits for Suriname. As the company expands and professionalises, it is expected to create new opportunities for skills development, employment and value addition based on natural ingredients sourced from Suriname’s Amazon environment. It also demonstrates that with the right support, locally developed products can compete in demanding international markets.
“This is bigger than our company alone,” Draaibaar added. “It shows that a product developed in Suriname can grow into a credible international brand through vision, hard work and the right support.”
With final testing and certification now in sight, Chepito Healing Oil is positioning itself as an emerging export-ready brand in natural cosmetics, with growing international interest including from Mexico.
Surinamese businesses interested in strengthening their export readiness are encouraged to contact SITA to learn more about available support programmes.
