A concentrated effort to improve debt management, as the gradual clearance of bilateral arrears and the improving debt profile demonstrate. Favorable medium-term economic prospects stemming from strong foreign-investor interest in Suriname's main economic sectors despite the expected slowdown in 2009-2010. Institutional weaknesses, including enduring deficiencies in managing debt payments and difficulties in reforming a structurally inefficient, public-sector-dominated economy. An open and narrow economy exposed to adverse external developments, especially commodity price fluctuations. Risk of possible economic policy reversals after the 2010 elections. The ratings on the Republic of Suriname reflect the country's improving macroeconomic fundamentals. Its medium-term growth prospects are robust, and its debt position is solid, with net general government debt at less than 10% of GDP at year-end
