Suriname has received the first shipment of fruit processing machinery under a $1 million SME grant from India, announced by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The equipment will support a passion fruit packaging unit, enhancing value addition to local produce.

Under the grant aid, developments are ongoing for establishing a passion fruit packaging unit in Suriname by supplying machinery from India. The project is backed by NABARD Consultancy Services (NABCONS), which conducted a feasibility study in July 2024 confirming its viability.

India and Suriname share strong historical and cultural ties, reinforced by bilateral cooperation through grants, lines of credit, and development projects. India has also extended $10 million in food security assistance to Suriname.

President Droupadi Murmu’s June 2023 state visit further deepened ties, marked by high-level honors and MoUs covering agriculture, medical product regulation, and pharmacopeia recognition.

Source: ommcomnews.com