Suriname parliamentary delegation attends WTO Public Forum

A Surinamese parliamentary delegation, including Rossellie Cotino, Steven Reyme, and Mahinder Jogi, participated in the 57th World Trade Organization (WTO) Public Forum in Geneva, Switzerland. Under the theme ‘Powering the Future’, the forum addressed the future of international trade and the role of sustainable services trade in economic development.

During the event, Cotino, serving as a member of a strategic steering group, led a working session organized in collaboration with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the European Parliament. The session focused on increasing parliamentary engagement in sustainable services trade, involving representatives from the business sector, the European Parliament, and various national parliaments.

The discussions highlighted that international trade opportunities do not automatically guarantee economic progress. For nations like Suriname, successful development in the services sector depends on the quality of national legislation, regulatory transparency, efficient government procedures, and well-functioning institutions. The session emphasized that parliaments must not only pass laws but also oversee government actions to ensure that the benefits of sustainable services trade reach society and local entrepreneurs.