Embassy of India, Paramaribo, Suriname
Commercial relations Commercial relations

Commercial relations

India-Suriname

Bilateral economic relations between India and Suriname are historically stable and transition from basic merchandise trade into a strategic development partnership. While overall trade volumes remain modest, recent institutional agreements, debt restructuring, and targeted investments have positioned both nations for accelerated economic engagement.  Bilateral trade figures for the last five years are as follows (In USD million):

Financial Year

Export to Suriname

Import from Suriname

Total Bilateral Trade

 2021-2022

 17.36

 31.93

 49.29

 2022-2023 

 12.23

 48.89

 61.12

 2023-2024

 29.25

 22.60

 51.85

 2024-2025 

 28.55 

 32.80 

 61.35 

 2025-2026

 26.69

 20.98

 47.67

Suriname presents diverse investment channels for Indian enterprises, spanning resource extraction, sustainable energy, and technology. Core opportunities lie in mining exploration and supporting infrastructure for the emerging oil and gas sector. Existing Indian-owned firms operate almost exclusively within the import-export and trading sectors, leaving the industrial and services landscape wide open for early movers, substantial potential exists for deep-market entry and joint ventures

A number of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed with the aim of promoting bilateral trade between India and Suriname. On March 9, 2018, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Suriname India Chamber of Commerce (SICCI) signed an agreement to enhance bilateral trade and economic relations. A new Memorandum of Understanding was signed on November 5, 2018, by the SICCI and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). In August 2022, the Bureau of Indian Standards and the Suriname Standards Bureau signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their mutual trade and expertise sharing in the areas of standards and conformity assessment activities. During President Santokhi's visit to India, the Economic Diplomacy Division of the MEA, in association with CII, FICCI, and ASSOCHAM, held a business meeting in Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat on January 12, 2023. A Surinamese government delegate also took part in the 9th CII India-LAC Conclave, from August 3–5, 2023.   On June 04, 2023 Suriname and India signed the Pharmacopoeia MoU. During the 9th Joint Commission meeting in may, 2026 Minister of External Affairs, India met with minister of Foreign Affairs, Suriname to discuss concrete projects stemming from previous agreements, including so-called 'quick impact projects', such as a processing plant for passion fruit. In addition, possibilities were discussed for financing projects through soft loans, including in infrastructure and healthcare, and for capacity building in sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and entrepreneurship.

India-Barbados

Trade and Commercial relations between the two countries are modest. Bilateral trade stood at 11.71 million USD in 2020-21 and since then grown to 26.25 million USD in 2025-2026. India trades majorly with Barbados in Machinery, Vehicles, Pharmaceuticals, Iron and Steel, Plastics, Copper, organic chemicals, etc.

Indian companies in partnership with Barbados Government have carried out many assignments. EXIM Bank India completed an assignment for establishing Export Consultancy Agency in Barbados in collaboration with Export Barbados. Indian company Larsen and Toubro has rebuilt a $30 mn Kensington Oval cricket stadium in Barbados. Given the size of the country, Barbados enjoys relatively high prosperity owing to its flourishing tourism industry. An MOU between Federation of Indian Export Organization (FIEO) and Barbados Chamber of Commerce was signed on trade cooperation in 2017. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley held high-level talks on November 20, 2024, at the India-CARICOM Summit in Georgetown, Guyana. They discussed economic collaboration, pharma partnerships, global institutional reforms, and the empowerment of the Global South

India and Barbados signed an Air Services Agreement in 2015 to facilitate travel arrangements and direct air connectivity. Once Flights are in operation, it will allow, inter alia, full fifth freedom rights including weekly operations of seven air services to each country. On February 27, 2026, Barbados and India signed the Pharmacopoeia Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

There are opportunities for Indian companies to import; salt & sulpher, organic chemicals and wood pulp from Barbados, export; food items, pharmaceutical products, medical equipment & coffee/tea from India and investment in health care, agriculture, tourism, port development, road, renovation of stadium, running of international airport, digitization project, construction of hotel, wellness centres, convention centre, housing and international businesses and financial services, setting up BPOs, niche manufacturers (as raw material is not available such as eye lens) etc. The education system of Barbados is sound. Barbados provides a sound platform for R&D centre, ICT etc.

India-Saint Lucia

Bilateral trade between India and St. Lucia is limited due to the country's small size, population of 179,000, and modest economy. The New India Assurance Company represents the only Indian investment in St. Lucia, with a commitment of US$ 2.8 million. Total bilateral trade rose from $3.79 million in 2020-2021 to $11.31 million in 2024-2025, reflecting a strengthening economic relationship over the five-year period. The Indian Diaspora also comprises of Indian professionals, particularly doctors employed both in public and private sector in St. Lucia and a small number of Sindhi businessmen are engaged in imports, trading, and duty-free shops.

India- SVG

Trade ties with India are limited. There has been increase in bilateral trade from .7 million USD to 3.43 million USD in recent five years. [However, in 2020-21, the bilateral trade figure was US$ 12.80 million due to a spike in export of ships and boats from SVG to India (for breakage)]. Pharmaceuticals, machinery, plastics, Iron and Steel, printed books, fisheries, cotton and textiles are exported from India. There are negligible exports from SVG to India.

India regularly offers slots for SVG under Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC). Two Foreign Service officials Affairs participated in the PCFD/CARICOM special diplomatic training programme at Foreign Service Institute in New Delhi in 2017, one in PCFD, 2019 and three under special training programme for CariCom Diplomats in June, 2019.Two senior-level customs officials participated in the India-Caricom special training programme in customs and taxes held in India on 10-14 June, 2019 under ITEC. On July 10, 2026 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines signed the Pharmacopoeia Memoradum of Understanding.