by Ivan Cairo
PARAMARIBO, Suriname, Jun 10, CMC- The Suriname government has significantly increased spending in the 2026 draft national budget that will be debated in the Parliament over a two week period beginning June 15.
The revised figures project total government expenditures at SRD77.48 billion (US$1.94 billion) with total revenues estimated at SRD 64.61 billion (US$1.62 billion), resulting in a budget deficit of approximately SRD12.86 billion (US$321.5 million).
The deficit rises 5.1 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) from the previously projected 3.5 per cent.
To facilitate these changes, the Council of Ministers withdrew an earlier memorandum dated May 14, 2026, and replaced it with a new Note of Amendment covering the entire 2026 fiscal year.
Compared to the budget framework approved in September 2025, expenditures increased by SRD16.39 billion (US$409.8 million), representing a rise of nearly 27 per cent. Projected revenues are revised upward by SRD 9.79 billion (US$ 244.8 million), an increase of almost 18 per cent.
The government also adjusted its economic outlook. While nominal GDP for 2026 was previously estimated at SRD 179.97 billion (US$ 4.50 billion), the revised projection stands at SRD 252.26 billion (US$6.31 billion), an upward adjustment of more than SRD 72 billion (US$1.81 billion), or roughly 40 per cent.
The revised budget figures are expected to receive extensive scrutiny during the parliamentary debate with questions likely to be about the financing of the larger deficit and its implications for public finances.
Chairman of the Standing Committee on Finance and the National Budget, Rabin Parmessar, of the National Democratic Party (NDP), the largest grouping in the Jennifer Greelings-Simons coalition government, said all preparations for the budget debate have been completed and the relevant committees have been installed.
The budget documents further show that the Office of the President will receive significantly increased funding in 2026. Current expenditures are projected to rise from SRD 979.8 million (USD24.5 million) to more than SRD 1.16 billion (US$29 million).
The largest share of the budget allocation remains dedicated to personnel costs. Salaries and wages are budgeted at SRD 829.2 million (US$20.7 million), compared to SRD 701.7 million (US$17.5 million) in the previous year.
According to the budget documents,, the increase reflects periodic salary adjustments, promotions, appointments, the recruitment of specialized personnel and consultants, commission payments, and various allowances. Medical reimbursements for senior officials, equivalent officeholders, and retirees are also included.
As of March 2025, the Office of the President, including its directorates and affiliated institutions, employed 2,237 staff members. The budget anticipates 56 retirements in 2026.
The Directorate for National Security will also receive additional funding. Under the Institutional Strengthening Programme, SRD 15 million (USD 375,000) has been allocated for renovation projects, specialized training for security personnel, and the construction of a new facility. The programme also includes the procurement of weapons and ammunition for security purposes.
One of the largest investment categories is digital transformation. The government has allocated SRD 80 million (Two million US dollars) for E-Governance initiatives. These funds will be used to renew software licenses, develop new digital government services, modernize the government data center, and expand online public services.
Projects such as a driver’s license database, vehicle registration database, digital employer declarations, and digital civil extracts will be further developed. In addition, a national digital skills programme will be launched to train citizens and public servants in information technology and cybersecurity.
The Independent Electoral Council (OKB) will also receive additional support. For 2026, the agency has been allocated SRD 10 million (US$ 250,000). The body, which oversees elections and certifies official election results, intends to use part of the funding to hire temporary staff to carry out its legal responsibilities more effectively.
With the revised budget, the government is pursuing a significant expansion of public spending. Additional resources are being directed toward personnel costs, digitalization, infrastructure upgrades, national security, and strengthening government institutions. At the same time, the budget deficit is projected to increase considerably compared to the original estimates.
CMC/ic/ir/2026