Simons’ Annual Address 2026: government continues restoration of the State and the economy

President Jennifer Simons on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, looked back on the first year of her government during her second Annual Address. President Simons’ Annual Address was delivered during an Extraordinary Public Meeting of De Nationale Assemblée (Suriname’s parliament) at the Congreshal in Paramaribo. With the address, the government also presents its policy direction for the 2027 service year.

According to Simons, the government spent much time over the past year mapping the situation within the government and various state institutions. According to the head of state, the initial evaluations showed that several institutions and implementing agencies had been seriously weakened compared with 2020.

The government therefore decided to first focus on what Simons describes as recovery and repair. Problems and irregularities had to be addressed within government organisations and state-owned companies. According to her, work was also carried out in essential sectors such as education and healthcare to restore structures that had weakened in recent years.

President Simons’ Annual Address emphasises recovery

Simons stressed that restoring government organisations is not a simple process. According to her, organisations can deteriorate relatively quickly when insufficient attention, staff and financial resources are available. Rebuilding properly functioning structures, on the other hand, takes considerably more time, according to the president.

The government therefore says it has sought to deploy the available resources as purposefully as possible. This involved not only working to resolve existing problems, but also laying a foundation for Suriname’s further development.

“The recovery of weakened institutions must lay the foundation for further development.”

Economic stability and social calm

In addition to institutional recovery, the government has, according to Simons, strongly focused on economic stability and political and social calm. According to the head of state, that stability is necessary to implement reforms while at the same time maintaining trust within society.

According to the government, calm and predictability must also contribute to better international relations and a more favourable climate for investment. Suriname faces major economic developments in the coming years, including the further development of the oil and gas sector. Attracting investment and strengthening institutions are therefore seen as important conditions.

Primary balance improves according to preliminary figures

During the Annual Address, Simons presented several preliminary economic figures for 2026. According to the head of state, the primary balance improved from a deficit of 5 percent of gross domestic product in 2025 to a surplus of 5.2 percent in the second quarter of 2026.

According to figures presented by the president, average inflation up to and including July 2026 stood at approximately 8.9 percent. International reserves have meanwhile reportedly risen to almost US$2 billion. In addition, import coverage amounted to about 8.2 months, according to Simons.

Economic growth of 3.9 percent projected

For the whole of 2026, economic growth of approximately 3.9 percent is projected, according to the Annual Address. According to the president, the figures indicate that the economic situation is developing in a more favourable direction. Further developments will, however, also depend on the implementation of government policy and international economic conditions.

The economic figures carry additional significance because the government stated upon taking office that it had limited financial room. In her first Annual Address of September 30, 2025, Simons warned that maintaining financial balance would be necessary, while at the same time it had to be prevented that vulnerable groups were disproportionately affected. Key News previously reported on the preparations and significance of the Annual Address.

From plans for 2026 to policy for 2027

During her first Annual Address, Simons presented a broad agenda including economic recovery, social protection, education, healthcare, security, and oil and gas development. Economic diversification and improving tax collection were also among the focal points.

With the second Annual Address, attention shifts to the implementation of policy and the plans for 2027. Parliament will not only look at the new policy intentions, but also at the extent to which previously announced measures have been implemented. The financial translation of these measures must become further visible during the consideration of the draft budget for the 2027 service year.

2027 budget follows President Simons’ Annual Address

The Annual Address is laid down in Article 81 of the Constitution. Each year, no later than the first working day of October, the president gives an account during an extraordinary meeting of DNA of the policy the government intends to pursue in the coming service year. After the Annual Address, the draft budget is submitted, after which parliament can consider the government’s policy intentions and financial choices.

The upcoming budget debate must provide more clarity on how much financial room is available for, among other things, education, healthcare, social protection, infrastructure and strengthening the government. This shifts the discussion after the Annual Address from the general policy direction to the concrete implementation and financing of the plans for 2027.