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The mining sector is the most important contributor to Suriname’s economy, generating 90% of its export income. Despite its desire to diversify the economy, the Government recognizes the short-term relevance of mining, in generating foreign currency and more jobs, albeit in limited numbers in this capital-intensive sector. It recognizes the environmental challenges for this sector and seeks more control over the exploitation and exploration of rights and territories. No specific trade-oriented policies or measures have been taken to enhance, improve or extend Suriname’s position in the gold, bauxite, or oil sector, aside from seeking more partnerships and investments.

Most of the incentives that can be provided under the Investment Law 2001 are of a fiscal nature:a deduction from taxable income of 20% of investments of at least US$20,000 in regions designated by the Government and of 10% in the case of investments of at least US$1,000 that are in the interest of environmental protection;

In general, international standards serve as the basis for Suriname's national standards. As of March 2013, standards existed on food hygienic; hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP); quality management systems; environmental management systems;

Other organizations involved in the development of standards and technical regulations are the Agricultural Health and Food Safety Unit (AHFSU), the Fish Inspection Institute (VKI), the Environment Hygienic Service (Milieu Hygienische Dienst), and the National Institute for Environment and Development (NIMOS), which is concerned with environmental legislation and regulation for protection of the environment.

Under the Ministry in charge of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Fisheries , the Agricultural Health and Food Safety Unit (AHFSU) develops and harmonizes national standards in line with regulations and standards from the Codex Alimentarius, the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). It has established a Surveillance and Monitoring System for Animal and Plant Pests and Disease

The food safety management framework remains poor in Suriname. In 2007, under a technical assistance programme provided by the FAO, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, started a programme to strengthen the food control system. The project was aimed at improving local food safety and increasing exports. It was expected to create a collaborative framework between, inter alia, the Plant Quarantine Unit, the Department of Veterinary Inspection, the Fish Inspection Institute and their laboratories, the Department of Environmental Inspection, and the Central Laboratory of the Agency for Public Health (BOG) of the Ministry in charge of Health.

Suriname is a party to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention of Biological Diversity (since 2008).

In 2004, the Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment issued a report on setting up a national biosafety framework for Suriname. It describes a systematic procedure for handling imports and exports of GMOs. It also provides a framework for GMO-related risk analysis, for imports, exports, and locally produced GMOs. In this regard, a biosafety law (bioveiligheidswet ) was to be adopted within three years after adoption of the biosafety framework.

The agricultural sector in Suriname, as a former plantation colony, has always had an important place in the economy. Agriculture, livestock and fisheries form the agricultural sector and have a 10% share in GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of Suriname. The Government stands for a sustainable strategy in the agricultural areas. This strategy aims at sustainable agricultural activities. Under sustainable agricultural production is meant a production system in which the ecosystem is carefully handled, so that the next generations are assured of good conditions for the production of sufficient, healthy and safe food.

The Government has developed a policy towards converting Suriname into a major food producer and supplier of the Caribbean. The strategy is to increase the export of agricultural products by first increasing the agricultural production in a sustainable way. The effort to achieve this strategic goal is a shared responsibility between the private sector and the government. The Government has decided to create conditions to support the agricultural sector, which are necessary if we want to become a major food provider of the Caribbean.