“New foreign currency committee must get to work ASAP”

“The new foreign currency committee must get to work as soon as possible. The government’s policy is aimed at generating foreign currency and to be thrifty with our foreign currency supply,” said Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk at the installation of a new foreign currency committee by President Chandrikapersad Santokhi on Thursday. The VP made it clear that the committee must not only stick to the law but that it will also have to make difficult decisions. But before making the difficult decisions the committee must first consult the authorities. “The government also wants to know which direction you want to go,” said

VP Brunswijk, who added that the government strongly believes that the new committee can get the job done. President Santokhi thanked the old members of the committee for their services and emphasized the fact that foreign currency must be reeled in. The pressure on the foreign currency in Suriname must decrease and the limited resources must be used for essential things such as medicines. Economic Affairs, Entrepreneurship and Technical Innovation Minister Saskia Walden pointed out that a competent team is being put to work in a critical situation of the economy. She made it clear that the ministry is counting on the committee and that it is always willing to lend a helping hand. “There will be challenges. You must not hesitate when it comes to making difficult decisions aimed at putting the price of foreign currency and the economy on the right track,” said Minister Walden. Prenobe Bissessur, chairman of the foreign currency committee, assured the government that the committee would often consult the financial authorities namely the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Entrepreneurship and Technical Innovation and the Central Bank of Suriname.