Institutional weaknesses, including difficulties in reforming a structurally inefficient, public sector-dominated economy An open and narrow-based economy exposed to adverse external developments, especially commodity price fluctuations A concentrated effort to improve debt management, as the clearance of bilateral arrears in 2011 and an improving debt profile demonstrate Favorable medium-term economic prospects stemming from strong foreign-investor interest in Suriname's main economic sectors The ratings on the Republic of Suriname reflect its improving macroeconomic fundamentals, robust medium-term growth prospects, low debt (net general government debt was less than 20% of GDP at the end of 2011), and solid external indicators based on current account surpluses, higher levels of foreign direct investment, and rising international reserves. In addition, political consensus on preserving macroeconomic
