AGP Executive Report

Education & Workforce Readiness: Suriname’s Education Ministry says 487 of 721 students referred to temporary schools still aren’t enrolled, warning parents to register now since the shortage is only a stopgap and classes must start. Telecom Modernisation: Telesur has gone live on Cerillion 26.1, upgrading its BSS/OSS platform with faster promotions, AI-powered automation, improved customer data views, and next steps toward self-service and eKYC. Clean Energy for Industry: A CDB-backed US$550,000 facility will support women-led businesses across the region—including Suriname—to commercialise clean energy solutions from 2026–2028. Energy & Connectivity Infrastructure: EllaLink advanced its Caribbean Gateway into the development phase, targeting service by end-2029 and proposing a route that could extend connectivity toward Suriname via Martinique interconnection. Mining & Security Risks: INTERPOL-linked concerns highlight criminal syndicates using illegal gold mining to move cocaine profits, prompting calls for deeper investigations into financiers behind operations. Agriculture & Biosecurity: Guyana is on high alert for bird flu after Suriname’s outbreak, while also banning Suriname banana imports. Hotel & Logistics Demand: A Holiday Inn in Paramaribo is set to support expected offshore oil and gas business travel growth, with 85 rooms planned.

Clean Energy for Women Entrepreneurs: The Caribbean Development Bank launched the SheTrades Caribbean Tech It Up Facility, a US$550,000, 2026–2028 programme backing women-led businesses across the region—including Suriname—to turn clean energy ideas into prototypes, pilots and early sales. Illegal Gold Mining & Finance Scrutiny: APNU MP Sharma Solomon urged Guyana to investigate who finances illegal mining after INTERPOL warned that cocaine profits are being laundered through gold operations, echoing calls to follow the money, not just seize dredges. Bird Flu Controls: Guyana reported H5N1 bird flu risk after Suriname’s outbreak, with quarantine checks and culling/burying measures; Suriname’s poultry farm remains closed for 28 days. Connectivity & Telecom Investment: EllaLink advanced its Caribbean Gateway into the development phase, targeting service by end-2029 with a carrier-neutral submarine corridor linking Cayenne to Martinique/Guadeloupe and a western leg to Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, with potential interconnection toward Suriname. Port Electrification Lessons: Caribbean port leaders returned from a Europe study visit on shore power, electrification and port investment, aiming to turn sustainability plans into practical upgrades. Suriname Mining Drilling Update: Miata Metals reported new high-grade gold intercepts at its Sela Creek project in Suriname, including 35.25m at 3.41 g/t Au. Oil & Gas Logistics Demand: A Holiday Inn in Paramaribo is set to support expected offshore oil activity, with projections of up to 1,500 monthly offshore-related travellers.

Telecom Infrastructure: EllaLink launched the Caribbean Gateway initiative, moving from design to committed investment for an open-access, carrier-neutral submarine fibre system linking Cayenne to Martinique/Guadeloupe and a western leg to Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, with service targeted by end-2029 and a planned interconnection path toward Suriname, Guyana and other islands. Mining & Investment: Miata Metals reported new diamond-drill results at its Sela Creek Gold Project in Suriname, including 35.25m at 3.41 g/t Au (with 5.55m at 15.36 g/t) at Jons Trend, as the company says mineralization remains open at depth. Oil & Gas Logistics: A Holiday Inn is set to be built near EAG Airport in Paramaribo, aiming to serve expected offshore oil and gas workforce growth from late 2027 into 2028. Agribusiness & Biosecurity: Guyana imposed a ban on Suriname-imported bananas and is on bird-flu alert after H5N1 was detected in Suriname poultry, with quarantine checks and culling/burial measures underway. Regional Security & Trade Risks: INTERPOL warned at its Americas conference that criminal syndicates are operating like corporations, using illegal gold mining to launder cocaine profits—highlighting the need for faster cross-border intelligence sharing. Energy Cooperation: Venezuela and Suriname signed a 2026–2027 roadmap for energy cooperation, supported by a technical training agreement between their universities.

Subsea & Energy Services: SLB OneSubsea CEO says Asia-Pacific and Africa frontier offshore developments are opening new subsea project opportunities beyond its core regions, with Indonesia and Namibia/Mozambique on the radar. Aviation & Safety Oversight: A global aviation safety forum opened in Georgetown under ICAO and EASA, focusing on coordination, workforce development, and stronger accident/incident investigation capacity. Maritime Decarbonisation: Caribbean port leaders returned from Europe with lessons on moving from sustainability plans to implementation, targeting cleaner, more resilient and competitive port operations. Digital Connectivity: EllaLink officially launched the EllaLink Caribbean Gateway, a new submarine cable from Cayenne to Martinique/Guadeloupe with branches for Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, aiming for service by end-2029. Suriname Oil & Gas Demand: Groundbreaking for a Holiday Inn in Paramaribo links the hotel to expected offshore activity growth, projecting up to 1,500 offshore-linked transport needs per month. Gold Mining Push in Suriname: Critical Resources secured a 90% stake in the Greenstars gold project (Para District) and follows its recent Gonini move, both near major regional gold operations. Food & Biosecurity: Suriname’s poultry sector response to H5 bird flu keeps the affected farm closed for 28 days and adds biosecurity support via APSS and LVV.

Mining & Investment: Miata Metals reported new diamond-drill results at its Sela Creek Gold Project in Suriname, including 35.25m at 3.41 g/t Au (with 5.55m at 15.36 g/t) at Jons Trend, reinforcing stacked gold-bearing veins open at depth. Gold Deals: Critical Resources doubled down on Suriname, securing a 90% stake in the Greenstars gold project and Saramacca satellite deposit (35 sq km) after its earlier Gonini move. Energy Cooperation: Suriname and Venezuela signed a 2026–2027 roadmap covering hydrocarbons plus training and technical cooperation, as TotalEnergies pushes GranMorgu toward first oil in 2028. Port & Connectivity: EllaLink launched the EllaLink Caribbean Gateway initiative, moving from design to committed investment for a Cayenne–Martinique/Guadeloupe system with a western segment to Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, targeting service by end-2029. Business & Infrastructure: Holiday Inn is set for Paramaribo (85 rooms), timed to expected offshore oil activity growth from late 2027. Food Industry: Caribbean Flavours & Fragrances is investing in natural colour technology for regional food and beverage manufacturers, expanding distribution across Suriname and the wider Caribbean. Biosecurity: Suriname’s poultry farm with H5 bird flu will stay closed for 28 days, with APSS support and samples sent abroad to identify the variant.

Caribbean Connectivity Push: EllaLink officially launches the EllaLink Caribbean Gateway, a new fibre optic submarine cable from Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe with a western segment for Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, moving from letters of intent to committed investment with service targeted for end-2029. Gold Exploration Update: Miata Metals reports new Sela Creek drill results in Suriname’s Jons Trend, including 35.25m at 3.41 g/t Au (and 5.55m at 15.36 g/t) plus additional long, stacked gold-bearing vein intercepts. Airport-to-Offshore Business Case: Paramaribo’s Holiday Inn (85 rooms) breaks ground near EAG Airport, banking on a surge in offshore oil and gas travel—up to 1,500 people per month—while also supporting tourism and events. Mining Investment Momentum: Critical Resources expands its Suriname gold play with a 90% stake in Greenstars (35 sq km) following its Gonini move, positioning projects near major regional producers. Energy Cooperation Framework: Venezuela and Suriname sign a 2026–2027 roadmap for energy cooperation, supported by technical training links between universities. Food & Biosecurity: Suriname’s poultry sector keeps an H5 bird flu-affected farm closed for 28 days, with APSS support and lab testing to identify the variant. Security & Illicit Finance: INTERPOL warns that criminal syndicates are increasingly funding drug profits through illegal gold mining, citing cross-border operations involving Suriname.

Airport-linked hospitality investment: A Holiday Inn with 85 rooms is set for construction near EAG Airport in Paramaribo, targeting surging business travel tied to offshore oil and gas activity, with estimates of up to 1,500 monthly trips from late 2027 into 2028. Gold mining expansion: ASX-listed Critical Resources is accelerating its Suriname push, securing a 90% stake in the Greenstars gold project (35 km²) and following its earlier Gonini acquisition—both near major regional producers. Energy cooperation: Venezuela and Suriname signed a 10-document package including a 2026–2027 roadmap for hydrocarbons and broader sector cooperation, supported by technical training links between universities. Food supply protection: Suriname’s first confirmed H5 bird flu outbreak has poultry farms closed for 28 days, with biosecurity steps and sample testing underway; APSS will support LVV in response. Regional security and illicit finance: INTERPOL warned that criminal networks are increasingly using illegal gold mining to launder cocaine profits, citing coordinated regional action involving Suriname. Trade and investment diplomacy: India and CARICOM (including Suriname) discussed deeper cooperation across trade, agriculture, digital governance, climate resilience and energy, alongside support for India’s UNSC bid.

Haiti Security: All 32 OAS member states backed the UN renewal of Haiti’s Gang Suppression Force mandate, urging full deployment with personnel, funding, equipment and logistics after OAS Secretary General Albert Ramdin’s Aug. mission linked security and elections. Suriname Gold Push: ASX explorer Critical Resources doubled down in Suriname, securing a 90% stake in the Greenstars gold project and Saramacca satellite deposit near the Rosebel belt, following its Gonini move. Energy Cooperation: Venezuela and Suriname signed a 10-document package including a 2026–2027 roadmap for hydrocarbons and technical training via university cooperation, as TotalEnergies advances GranMorgu offshore. Bird Flu Controls: Suriname’s first confirmed H5 outbreak led to a 28-day closure of the affected poultry farm and surrounding contact sites, with APSS support and samples sent abroad to identify the variant. Mining + Crime Link: INTERPOL warned that criminal syndicates are increasingly moving cocaine profits into illegal gold mining, citing Operation Guyana Shield across Guyana, Brazil, French Guiana and Suriname. Food Industry Shift: Caribbean Flavours & Fragrances (CFF) is investing in lab technology to help regional food and beverage makers switch from synthetic to naturally derived colours, including distribution into Suriname. Regional Trade/Policy: India and CARICOM (including Suriname) discussed deeper cooperation across trade, agriculture, digital governance, climate resilience and energy, with CARICOM backing India’s UNSC bid.

Haiti Security Mandate: All 32 OAS member states urged the UN Security Council to renew Haiti’s Gang Suppression Force mandate and fund full deployment, stressing Haitian-led solutions and that a mandate alone won’t deliver results without personnel, equipment and logistics. Suriname Bird Flu Response: Suriname’s first confirmed H5 bird flu outbreak has triggered a 28-day closure of the affected poultry farm and nearby contact sites, with samples being sent abroad to identify the variant and sector-wide biosecurity steps being reinforced. Suriname Gold Push: ASX-listed Critical Resources is accelerating its Suriname gold strategy, snapping up a 90% stake in the Greenstars project (with a granted exploitation right) shortly after its Gonini acquisition—both near major producers like Zijin’s Rosebel. Energy Cooperation: Venezuela and Suriname signed a 2026–2027 roadmap for energy cooperation, supported by a technical training agreement between universities, as Suriname’s offshore projects move toward first output. Regional Crime Warning: INTERPOL warned that Americas criminal syndicates now operate like diversified corporations, using illegal gold mining and other illicit channels to launder cocaine profits—citing coordinated operations involving Suriname. Poultry Sector Support: The Poultry Sector Suriname Association (APSS) says it will assist LVV with bird flu biosecurity, reporting and farmer support, while the ministry continues damage assessments.

Oil Wealth Distribution: Former Suriname President Chandrika Persad Santokhi unveiled “Royalties for Everyone,” proposing annual US$750 savings notes with 7% interest for every Surinamese, aiming to turn future offshore oil wealth into direct household benefits and generational wealth. Bird Flu Response: Suriname confirmed an H5 bird flu outbreak at a poultry farm; the site will stay closed for 28 days, with nearby contact locations also shut while remaining birds are culled and samples sent abroad for variant identification. Energy Cooperation: Suriname and Venezuela signed a 2026–2027 roadmap covering hydrocarbons plus fisheries, agrifood, aviation and more, supported by a technical training agreement between universities. Mining & Power for Production: China’s Zijin Longking will invest US$232m in solar-plus-storage for Suriname’s Rosebel gold mine (phase 2) and Guyana’s Aurora projects, cutting diesel use and boosting mine power reliability. Gold, Crime and Enforcement: INTERPOL warned that cocaine profits are increasingly being laundered through illegal gold mining, citing coordinated regional action in Operation Guyana Shield involving Guyana, Brazil, French Guiana and Suriname. Local Content & Oil Contracts: Guyana’s chamber urged tighter monitoring of foreign oil contractors and demanded publication of approved local content plan extracts, highlighting how transparency can shape local business outcomes.

Budget & Investment Climate: Trinidad and Tobago’s 2027 budget timeline (due Oct 30) is framed around restoring public confidence and stimulating investment, while debate continues over whether growth should lean harder into non-energy sectors. Biosecurity & Poultry Trade: Suriname’s first confirmed H5 bird flu outbreak has led to a 28-day closure of the affected poultry farm and nearby contact locations, with samples being sent abroad to identify the variant and sector-wide reporting urged. Regional Security & Illicit Economies: INTERPOL warns that criminal networks across the Americas now operate like diversified corporations, using maritime routes, crypto, and even illegal gold mining to launder cocaine profits—while Guyana stresses faster cross-border intelligence sharing. Energy Cooperation: Suriname and Venezuela signed a 2026–2027 roadmap for energy cooperation, supported by technical training links between universities, as Suriname’s offshore projects push toward 2028 output. Mining & Power for Industry: Zijin Longking plans $232m in solar-plus-storage upgrades at Suriname’s Rosebel gold mine, cutting diesel use and improving mine energy security. Food Processing Upgrade: Caribbean Flavours & Fragrances is moving regional manufacturers toward naturally derived food colours, including distribution across Suriname. Logistics Expansion: Blue Water Shipping opened in Shenzhen to serve oil, wind, industrial and data-centre logistics needs, while expanding its Billund facility. Local Finance & Governance: Suriname’s audit office highlights continued Indian technical support via ITEC training, strengthening procurement and financial controls. Digital Finance Watch: Suriname’s virtual-asset oversight law passed in August, while small Bitcoin merchant activity in Paramaribo had already begun before the new rules.

INTERPOL on Illicit Finance & Mining: INTERPOL warned at its Americas conference that cocaine profits are increasingly being laundered through illegal gold mining, with criminal networks operating like corporations across ports, borders and crypto—citing Operation Guyana Shield’s cross-border gold, timber and mercury probes. Cross-Border Policing Speed: Guyana’s PM Mark Phillips stressed that intelligence must reach frontline officers fast enough to act, or criminals gain the advantage—again pointing to coordinated regional action against illegal gold mining. Suriname Energy Cooperation: Venezuela and Suriname signed a 10-document package including a 2026–2027 energy cooperation roadmap, supported by a hydrocarbons training agreement between universities. Suriname Oil & Gas Context: Chevron plans a major exploration ramp-up next year and lists Suriname among its exploration exposure, while TotalEnergies’ GranMorgu project remains on track for mid-2028 first output. Mining Investment Push: Critical Resources secured exclusivity to acquire a 90% interest in Suriname’s Gonini Gold Project, aiming to apply modern exploration to a historically active district. Poultry Biosecurity: APSS will support Suriname’s agriculture ministry in the fight against H5 bird flu, including biosecurity upgrades and lab testing abroad. Natural Food Colours: Caribbean Flavours & Fragrances (CFF) is investing to shift regional food and beverage manufacturers from synthetic to naturally derived colours, including distribution into Suriname. Local Gold Company Admin Update: Sranan Gold says a change of auditor became effective Sept. 15, 2026 after an administrative correction. Digital Payments in Suriname: A Suriname virtual-asset supervision law approved in August 2026 sets Central Bank oversight for VASPs, while small Bitcoin merchant activity had already started in Paramaribo.

Oil & Gas Exploration: Chevron says it will boost exploration spending by more than 50% versus 2025, targeting about 20 exploration wells next year and using AI to improve discovery results, with exploration acreage including Suriname. Energy Cooperation: Venezuela and Suriname signed a 2026–2027 roadmap covering hydrocarbons alongside agrifood, fisheries, aviation and training, aiming to share operational know-how as Suriname’s upstream pipeline grows. Gold & Power for Mining: Zijin Longking will invest about USD232m in solar-plus-storage upgrades tied to its gold assets, including USD150m for Rosebel in Suriname, cutting diesel use and improving mine energy security. Mining Deal Watch (Suriname): Critical Resources secured exclusivity to acquire a 90% interest in the Gonini Gold Project in Suriname, moving it toward modern hard-rock exploration in a historically active district. Food Industry Transition: Caribbean Flavours & Fragrances (CFF) is pushing natural food colours across Suriname and the region, backed by lab tech and a new distribution tie-up with Sensient. Biosecurity: Suriname’s poultry sector association (APSS) will support the agriculture ministry’s response to H5 bird flu, including sample testing abroad and tighter farm reporting. Maritime Safety: Suriname’s Maritime Authority warned Canawaima that a sailing ban could follow if safety deficiencies aren’t fixed on a tight timetable. Digital Finance Regulation: Suriname’s virtual-asset oversight law took effect after small Bitcoin merchant activity had already started in Paramaribo, with the Central Bank named as supervisor. Regional Security & Trade: INTERPOL and regional leaders stressed faster cross-border intelligence sharing as organised crime shifts into illegal mining and other profit streams.

Energy Cooperation: Suriname and Venezuela signed 10 documents, including a 2026–2027 roadmap for hydrocarbons and technical training, as Venezuela pledged operational know-how to support Suriname’s upstream build-out. Oil & Gas Development: TotalEnergies’ GranMorgu offshore project remains on track for first oil in 2028, with the regional energy partnership landing as Suriname’s production plans move closer. Solar for Mining: Zijin Longking will invest about USD232m in solar-plus-storage at Suriname’s Rosebel gold mine and Guyana’s Aurora assets, cutting diesel use and boosting mine energy security. Gold & Exploration: Critical Resources secured exclusivity to acquire a 90% interest in Suriname’s Gonini Gold Project, targeting modern hard-rock exploration in a historically active district. Maritime Safety: Suriname’s Maritime Authority warned Canawaima of a potential sailing ban unless key vessel safety deficiencies are fixed by mid-August. Poultry Biosecurity: APSS will assist Suriname’s agriculture ministry in the response to H5 bird flu, including biosecurity upgrades and lab testing abroad. Digital Finance Regulation: Suriname approved a law to supervise virtual-asset service providers, with Bitcoin activity already taking root in Paramaribo before the new rules. UN Diplomacy: Suriname backed Guyanese diplomat Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett for UN secretary-general, calling her the first Caribbean woman nominated.

Avian Health & Poultry Biosecurity: Suriname’s Poultry Sector Association (APSS) will support the Ministry of Agriculture in the fight against H5 bird flu, with tighter biosecurity, faster case reporting, samples sent abroad to identify the variant, and guidance for farmers hit by outbreaks. Maritime Safety & Trade Disruption: Suriname’s Maritime Authority warned Canawaima Management Company that the MV Canawaima faces a sailing ban from August 14 unless safety deficiencies are fixed by August 13, including firefighting systems, crew training certificates, and hull watertightness checks. Mining Energy Transition: Zijin Longking plans a USD232m solar-plus-storage push at gold mines in Suriname (Rosebel) and Guyana, cutting diesel use and boosting mine power reliability. Gold Exploration Dealmaking: Critical Resources secured exclusivity to acquire a 90% interest in Suriname’s Gonini Gold Project, aiming to apply modern exploration to a historically active district. Regional Security for Industry: Guyana urged faster, coordinated regional action against transnational organised crime at the INTERPOL Americas conference, warning criminals exploit ports, waterways, finance, and legal gaps. Trade & Investment Diplomacy: India and CARICOM (including Suriname) agreed to deepen cooperation on trade, agriculture/food security, digital governance, climate resilience and energy, with CARICOM backing India’s UNSC 2028–29 bid. Logistics Expansion: Blue Water Shipping opened a Shenzhen office to serve oil & gas, wind, industrial, data centre, telecoms and BESS logistics, and expanded its Billund facility.

UN Diplomacy for Trade & Energy: CARICOM countries, including Suriname, backed India’s bid for a UN Security Council non-permanent seat (2028–29) and agreed to deepen cooperation on trade and investment, agriculture and food security, digital governance, climate resilience and energy. Mining Power Upgrade: China’s Zijin Longking will invest about USD232m in solar-plus-storage expansions tied to gold mines—USD150m for Rosebel in Suriname and additional funding for Guyana’s Aurora—aimed at cutting diesel use and improving mine energy security. Suriname Gold Deal Watch: Critical Resources secured exclusivity to acquire a 90% interest in the Gonini Gold Project (164 km²) in Suriname, positioning the company for modern exploration in a historically active gold district. Maritime Safety: Suriname’s Maritime Authority warned Canawaima Management that the MV Canawaima faces a sailing ban from Aug. 14 unless safety deficiencies are fixed by Aug. 13, including firefighting systems and crew training certificates. Avian Health Alert: Suriname detected H5 avian influenza after a spike in chicken deaths at a Wanica poultry farm, triggering source and contact tracing. Regional Business & Logistics: Blue Water Shipping opened a Shenzhen office and expanded its Billund facility to support logistics for energy, industrial and tech sectors across South China.