Improving Transport Logistics and Competitiveness in Suriname (ITLCS)
IDB-financed programme (US$45 million, approved 10 July 2019) for port infrastructure and logistics in Paramaribo. Contracts signed on 16 November 2023 cover a logistics centre at the Nieuwe Haven (Baitali) and a new bridge over the Saramacca Canal in the Van 't Hogerhuysstraat (CRBC–Kuldipsingh Infra joint venture), which opened on 26 March 2025.
The Inter-American Development Bank approved the Improving Transport Logistics and Competitiveness in Suriname programme (SU-L1057) on 10 July 2019 as a US$45 million investment loan in port infrastructure, executed by the Ministry of Public Works.
On 16 November 2023 the ministry signed two works contracts: the construction of a logistics centre at the Nieuwe Haven with Baitali, and the rehabilitation of the bridge in the Van 't Hogerhuysstraat over the Saramacca Canal with a joint venture of China Road and Bridge Corporation and Kuldipsingh Infra. The ministry put the bridge contract at US$8.3 million, with works starting on 26 January 2024. The new bridge opened on 26 March 2025; the government then put the cost of the bridge and connecting roads at US$9.3 million and said the programme runs until 2027. The IDB's award data records US$16.7 million for the joint venture's contract; we have found no public explanation for the difference.
IDB award data also lists a US$2.0 million works contract for United Caribbean Contractors (2024) and consulting and audit contracts. Progress on the logistics centre has not been verified by Suriname Partners.
Stakeholders
| Aannemingsmaatschappij Baitali N.V. (Baitali Group) | contractor | Logistics centre at the Nieuwe Haven (contract Nov 2023) |
| China Road and Bridge Corporation 中国路桥工程有限责任公司 | contractor | JV with Kuldipsingh Infra — bridge over the Saramacca Canal, Van 't Hogerhuysstraat (opened Mar 2025) |
| Kuldipsingh | contractor | JV partner (Kuldipsingh Infra N.V.) |
| United Caribbean Contractors (UCC) | contractor | Works contract, USD 2.0m (IDB data, Sep 2024) |
Contract awards under the financing programme
Awards: 21 · US$ contracts: $33M · 2021–2025
| Award date | Awarded firm | Overview | Contract value | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joint Venture: China Road and Bridge Corporation & Kuldipsingh Infra NV China | Works contract Improving Transport Logistics and Competitiveness in Suriname · Ministry of Public Works · International Competitive Bidding | $16.7M | IDB ↗ | |
| Consortium: Sunecon - Firm Engineering - IBT Consultants Suriname | Consulting services contract Improving Transport Logistics and Competitiveness in Suriname · Ministry of Public Works · Quality-and-Cost Based Selection (QCBS) | $3.6M | IDB ↗ | |
| InteTrade Ltd United Kingdom | Goods contract Improving Transport Logistics and Competitiveness in Suriname · Ministry of Public Works · Direct Contracting | $2.9M | IDB ↗ | |
| Aannemingsmaatschappij Baitali N.V. Suriname | Works contract Improving Transport Logistics and Competitiveness in Suriname · Ministry of Public Works · International Competitive Bidding | $2.5M | IDB ↗ | |
| IBT Suriname | Consulting services contract Improving Transport Logistics and Competitiveness in Suriname · Ministry of Public Works | $2.2M | IDB ↗ | |
| United Caribbean Contractors UCC Suriname | Works contract Improving Transport Logistics and Competitiveness in Suriname · Ministry of Public Works · Direct Contracting | $2M | IDB ↗ | |
| IT Partner BV Netherlands | Goods contract Improving Transport Logistics and Competitiveness in Suriname · Ministry of Public Works · Direct Contracting | $1.6M | IDB ↗ | |
| Kulsipsingh Equipment N.V. Suriname | Non-consulting services contract Improving Transport Logistics and Competitiveness in Suriname · Ministry of Public Works · Direct Contracting | $229,528 | IDB ↗ | |
| Joint Venture: SUNECON Engineering Consultants & FIRM Engineering NV Suriname | Consulting services contract Improving Transport Logistics and Competitiveness in Suriname · Ministry of Public Works · Quality-and-Cost Based Selection (QCBS) | $224,964 | IDB ↗ | |
| M.G. ROSAN N.V. Suriname | Consulting services contract Improving Transport Logistics and Competitiveness in Suriname · Ministry of Public Works | $177,461 | IDB ↗ | |
| SUNECON Suriname | Consulting services contract Improving Transport Logistics and Competitiveness in Suriname · Ministry of Public Works | $173,300 | IDB ↗ | |
| Fernandes Autohandel NV Suriname | Goods contract Improving Transport Logistics and Competitiveness in Suriname · Ministry of Public Works · National Competitive Bidding | $106,481 | IDB ↗ | |
| FERNANDES AUTOHANDEL NV Suriname | Goods contract Improving Transport Logistics and Competitiveness in Suriname · Ministry of Public Works · National Competive Bidding | $95,000 | IDB ↗ | |
| A COMPANY CONSULTORA S.A. Costa Rica | Consulting services contract Improving Transport Logistics and Competitiveness in Suriname · Ministry of Public Works | $93,042 | IDB ↗ | |
| UNITED CARIBBEAN CONTRACTORS Suriname | Consulting services contract Improving Transport Logistics and Competitiveness in Suriname · Ministry of Public Works | $81,080 | IDB ↗ |
Awards come from the funders' official publications: World Bank award notices and the IDB contract-awards dataset (US dollars; contracts from 2018 of US$10,000 or more). Values are as published and are not adjusted.