Suriname’s Corruption and Money Laundering Challenges

In early March 2021, the findings of Suriname’s National Risk Assessment (NRA) on Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Countering the Financing of Terrorism and corruption, as recommended by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), were released. While money laundering is illegal per a 2002 law that was amended in 2016, the NRA indicates that Suriname has some major challenges ahead and has an insufficient awareness of money laundering. Completing the NRA is a significant step in Suriname’s interaction with the global financial system and in controlling transnational crime: the country needs a cleaner slate in recovering from a profound economic downturn, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the rescheduling of close to $4 billion debt. Adding to the sense of urgency Suriname sits on the edge of becoming a major oil producer.