The Republic of Suriname's macroeconomic and financial profile has been strengthening. In addition, the country has been clearing up its bilateral arrears. As a result, we have revised our outlook on Suriname to positive from stable. In addition, we have affirmed the 'B+/B' foreign-currency and 'BB-/B' local-currency sovereign credit ratings on the republic. On Dec. 22, 2009, Standard&Poor's Ratings Services revised its outlook on the Republic of Suriname to positive from stable. At the same time, Standard&Poor's affirmed its 'B+/B' foreign-currency and 'BB-/B' local-currency sovereign credit ratings on the sovereign. We revised the outlook to positive to reflect Suriname's strengthening macroeconomic and financial profile, including a falling debt burden and progress in clearing up arrears on
