Belgian firm seeks to take over banana industry.(SURINAME)

Caribbean Update, January, 2008

Belgium's Univeg Group plans to make a takeover bid for Suriname's lone banana producer Surland, reports Caribbean Net News (Nov. 30, 2007). Agriculture minister Kermechend Raghoebarsing said in Jan. 2008 a delegation from Univeg will visit the Surland facilities and banana plantations:

Surland went bankrupt in 2002 but resumed production in 2004 under the umbrella of the Foundation for the Banana Sector Suriname (SBB). The restart has been financed by the Suriname government, while the European Union offered financial and technical assistance. Since 2002, up to US$30 million has ...