“This country is sacred to me”

Dilip Sardjoe, chairman of the presidential negotiating committee Alcoa/ Suralco, is content with the work that has been done and the fact that the Revision of the Brokopondo Agreement and Compensation from Bauxite Companies bill has been adopted. He explained that the State has ‘won’ USD 1.4 billion with the premature termination of the Brokondo Agreement. The large-scale entrepreneur made it clear that he has not benefitted personally from this deal. “If things are going swell with Suriname, things automatically go swell with my companies. That is my advantage. Suriname is also my country and this country is sacred to me”, said Sardjoe. In the past couple of weeks critics tried to establish a link between Sardjoe and Alcoa/ Suralco. “A great tree attracts the wind. I have never been a state employee but when the government turns to me for assistance, I am always willing to lend a helping hand”, said Sardjoe who added that the attacks are coming from a certain corner. “But together with the committee I have done my best for Suriname. For us it was never about making any money”, said Sardjoe. “If Suriname flourishes, my companies also flourish. If Suriname takes a hit, my companies also take a hit. We must not always try to put things in a creepy sphere. Let’s look at the common interest. If things go great with Suriname, things go great with all of us, also with Dilip. If Suriname hits a rough patch, Dilip also hits a rough patch. Let’s work for Suriname”, said Dilip who strongly believes that “the agreements that are currently on the table are a win-win deal”. The committee reportedly took into account the money that could be spared and the benefits that could be reeled in for the country. It also took into account the intention of Alcoa/ Suralco to keep making investments in Suriname. “Alcoa is not really planning on leaving Suriname. They still have properties here and plan on doing business in other sectors.” For now the work of the presidential negotiating committee is done. It is now up to the head of state to determine the next phase. “That is the work of another committee. We have done our job and we reeled in something good for Suriname. It is now up to Suriname to determine the next step.”