RESTRICTED  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  TN/S/O/SUR/Rev.1 
28 July 2005 
 (05-3410) 
Council for Trade in Services 
Special Session Original:   English 
 
 
  
SURINAME 
 
Revised Initial Offer
 
 
  The following revised offer has been received from the delegation of Suriname on 13 July 2005 with the request that it be circulated  to Members of the Council for Trade in Services. 
 
_______________ 
 
  In accordance with the decision adopted by the General Council on 1 august 2004 Doha Work 
Programme, the Government of the Republic of  Suriname hereby submits its revised initial 
conditional offer.  
  The Government of the Republic of Suriname reserves the right to revise, amend, supplement 
or withdraw all or part of it at any time pr ior to the conclusion of the services negotiations. 
 
 In the light of the above we request that Suriname’s revised initial conditional offer is 
circulated among the Members of the Council for Trade in Services.    Changes are made in sub-sector Reinsurance a nd retrocession  in the columns Limitations on 
Market Acces and Limitati ons on National Treatment. 
 
 Also note that additionally a new offer is made in Water Transport Services with regard to the 
sub-sector Transport services by seagoing vessels,  Passenger transportation and Freight 
transportation.   
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 TN/S/O/SUR/Rev.1 
Page 2 SURINAME – SCHEDULE OF SPECIFIC COMMITMENTS 
 
Mode of Supply: 1) Cross-border supply 2) Consumption abroad 3) Commercial presence 4) Presence of natural persons  
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limitations on  National Treatment Additional 
Commitments 
I. HORIZONTAL COMMITMENTS 
 ALL SECTORS  
 INCLUDED IN THIS   SCHEDULE   
 
 
 4) Unbound except for measures concerning 
senior managerial personnel and technical 
experts not available in the local labour 
market 
 4) None for measures concerning  categories of 
persons indicated in market access. Unbound 
for all other categories of persons  
II. SECTOR SPECIFIC COMMITMENTS 
2. COMMUNICATION  
 SERVICES 
 C. Telecommunication 
 
 Services  
 For public use
 
 - Fixed network  
  infrastructure  - Local, domestic, long 
distance and 
international 
 
(a) Voice telephone services  
 (including public pay 
 telephone services, operator 
 and emergency services)  
 
  
 
 1) Bypass of the duopoly operators is not 
permitted.  Long -distance and international 
traffic must be routed through the operators that are licensed to supply long-distance 
services.  Deliberately reversing the real 
direction of this international traffic is  not allowed. 
2) Long distance and international traffic must be 
routed through the operators that are licensed 
to supply long-distance services.  Deliberately 
reversing the real direction of this international traffic is not allowed. 
  
 
  
 
 1) None 
 
  
 
  
2) None 
 
 
  
 
 See attachment additional 
commitments on 
regulatory disciplines.  
A regulatory body will be 
established in 1998.  
The Government will 
submit to Parliament a new draft law on 
Telecommunication.  This 
law will provide the legislative framework for 
the provision of 
telecommunication 
services reflecting 
technological advances and pro-competitive 
practices in the sector. 
Duopoly was established to provide services in 
competition.  Duopoly 
operators have the obligation to provide 
services to the undeserved 
population centers.  
  TN/S/O/SUR/Rev.1
 Page 3Mode of Supply: 1) Cross-border supply 2) Consumption abroad 3) Commercial presence 4) Presence of natural persons  
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limitations on  National Treatment Additional 
Commitments 
(d) Telex services  
 (CPC 7523**) 
(e) Facsimile services 
 (CPC 7521**+ 7529**) 
(g) Private leased circuit 
 Services  
 (CPC 7522**+ 7523**) 
(o) Other services  
Fixed satellite services 
    
 
  
 3) The duopoly operators are granted exclusivity 
for a period of five years ending on 1 January 2003.  Before the expiration of this period, the 
Government will determine the circumstances 
under which additional operators can be licensed.  Foreign equity participation which 
is applicable as of 1 January 1998 is limited to 
40%. 
4) Unbound except as indicated under 
in  the 
horizontal measures  section . 
 3) None 
  
 
  
 
 4) Unbound except as indicated under 
in  the 
horizontal measures  section .   
 TN/S/O/SUR/Rev.1 
Page 4 Mode of Supply: 1) Cross-border supply 2) Consumption abroad 3) Commercial presence 4) Presence of natural persons  
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limitations on  National Treatment Additional 
Commitments 
For public use and non-public 
use on leased lines only : 
    
(b) Packet-switched data 
transmission services  
 (CPC 7523**) 
(c) Circuit-switched data  
 transmission services 
 (CPC 7523 **) 
(o) Other services: 
 Internet and Internet access 
services (except voice)  
 
 Teleconferencing services 
 1) Bypass of the network facilities of the duopoly 
operators is not permitted.  Long -distance and 
international traffic must be routed through 
the operators that are licensed to supply long -
distance and international transmission 
facilities. 
2) None 
3) None, except that bypass of the network 
facilities of the duopoly operators is not permitted. 
4) Unbound except as indicated under
 in  the
 horizontal measures  section . 
 1) None 
 
 
 
 
 2) None 
3) None 
  
4) Unbound except as indicated under
 in the 
horizontal measures  section .  
 
For non-public use : 
 
(a) Voice telephone services 
 (CPC 7521)  
 1) Only on network facilities supplied by the 
exclusive duopoly operators.  Bypass and resale of excess capacity are not permitted. 
2) None 
3) Only on network facilities supplied by the 
exclusive operators.  Bypass and resale of 
excess capacity are not permitted. 
4) Unbound except as indicated under
 in the 
horizontal measures  section . 
 1) None 
  
2) None 
3) None  
 
4) Unbound except as indicated under
 in the
 horizontal measures  section . 
  
  
  TN/S/O/SUR/Rev.1
 Page 5Mode of Supply: 1) Cross-border supply 2) Consumption abroad 3) Commercial presence 4) Presence of natural persons  
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limitations on  National Treatment Additional 
Commitments 
For public use : 
 
(o) Other services:  Mobile sevices (terrestrial 
and satellite based) 
 - Cellular/mobile telephone 
services 1) Licenses are granted for a period of five years 
ending on 1 January 2003.  Before the 
expiration of this period, the Government will determine the circumstances under which 
additional operators can be licensed.  Bypass 
of the network facilities of the duopoly operators is not permitted. 
2) None 1) None 
 
  
 
  
2) None  
 
- Personal communications  
 services 3) Licenses are granted for a period of  
 five years ending on 1 January 2003.  Before 
the expiration of this period the Government 
will determine the circumstances under which additional operators can be licensed.  Foreign 
equity participation which is applicable as of 1 
January 1998 is limited to 40%. 
4) Unbound except as indicated under
 in the  
horizontal measures  section . 3) None 
 
 
  
 
 4) Unbound except as indicated under
 in the 
horizontal measures  section . 
   
 TN/S/O/SUR/Rev.1 
Page 6 Mode of Supply: 1) Cross-border supply 2) Consumption abroad 3) Commercial presence 4) Presence of natural persons  
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limitations on  National Treatment Additional 
Commitments 
For public use  
 
(b) (o) Other services: 
- Mobile data services 
- Paging services 
- Trunked radio systems 
services (excluding phone 
patching) 
- Telecommunications 
equipment sales 
- Telecommunications 
equipment, rental 
maintenance, connection, 
repair and consulting services 
 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 4) Unbound except as indicated under 
 in the  
horizontal measures  section . 
 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 4) Unbound except as indicated under
 in the 
horizontal measures  section . 
  
  
  TN/S/O/SUR/Rev.1
 Page 7Mode of Supply: 1) Cross-border supply 2) Consumption abroad 3) Commercial presence 4) Presence of natural persons  
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limitations on  National Treatment Additional 
Commitments 
7. FINANCIAL 
 SERVICES 
 
A. All Insurance and 
insurance - related 
services . 
 Insurance and insurance 
related services 
 
(c) (ii) Reinsurance & 
retrocession 
 (CPC 81299*)  
 
 
  
 
1) None 2) None 
3) Declaration for the assessment of statue 
and the issue of a declaration of no 
objection  
 
 Economic needs test* regarding the 
necessity  establishment of a reinsurance 
company. 
 
 All non-life reinsurance companies should 
have the legal form of a limited liability 
company according to Surinamese law. For 
life reinsurance companies there is a 
possibility for establishment as a limited  
liability company or as a branch office, but 
the legal form of the mother company 
should fit within the Surinamese legal 
system.  
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section. 
  
 
1) None 2) None 
3) Declaration for the assessment of statue and 
the issue of a declaration of no objection  
 
 Residency requirement for at least one of the 
executive directors. 
 
 Residency requirement for the majority of 
the Board members. 
 
 Foreign reinsurance offices and foreign 
Branch offices should submit certified 
annual reports over the past five (5) years of 
the mother company.      
 
 
  
4) Unbound, except  as indicated  in the  
horizontal section. 
   
 
                                                      
* The main criteria on which the test is based: the market st udy should indicate if there is a potential market locally. 
   This study will include textual explanation as well as official figures/statistics.  
 TN/S/O/SUR/Rev.1 
Page 8 Mode of Supply: 1) Cross-border supply 2) Consumption abroad 3) Commercial presence 4) Presence of natural persons  
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limitations on  National Treatment Additional 
Commitments 
9. TOURISM AND TRAVEL 
RELATED SERVICES 
    
A. Hotels and Restaurants  
 ( CPC  641 – CPC  643) 
 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the horizontal 
section 
 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the horizontal 
section 
  
 
B. Travel agencies and tour  
operators  
 ( CPC  7471) 
 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 4) Unbound, except as indicated in the horizontal 
section 
 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 4) Unbound, except as indicated in the horizontal 
section 
  
 
11. TRANSPORT SERVICES     
C. Air Transport Services  
    
(a) Aircraft repair and 
 maintenance services1 1) None 
2) None 3) None 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the horizontal 
section 
 1) None 
2) None 3) None 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the horizontal 
section 
  
(b) Selling and marketing of air 
transport services1 
 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the horizontal 
section 
 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the horizontal 
section 
  
                                                      
1 As defined in paragraph 6 of the Annex on Air Transport Services. 
  
  TN/S/O/SUR/Rev.1
 Page 9Mode of Supply: 1) Cross-border supply 2) Consumption abroad 3) Commercial presence 4) Presence of natural persons  
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limitations on  National Treatment Additional 
Commitments 
(c) Computer reservation  
 system (CRS) services1 
 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 4) Unbound, except as indicated in the horizontal 
section 
 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 4) Unbound, except as indicated in the horizontal 
section 
  
A. Maritime Transport 
Services 
 
(b) International transport 
(freight and passengers) 
CPC 7211 and 7212 less 
cabotage transport 
 
  
 
 
1) (a)Liner Shipping: None (b) Bulk, tramp 
and other internationa l shipping, including 
passenger transportation: None 
2) None 
3) (a) Establishment of registered company 
for the purpose of operating a fleet under 
the national flag of the State of 
establishment: Unbound  
 (b) Other forms of commercial presence for 
the supply of international maritime 
transport services: None : a local partner 
required to establish a Surinamese 
company   
4) (a) Ships crews: Unbound (b) Key 
personnel employed in relation to a 
commercial presence as defined under 
mode 3b) above: Unbound except as 
indicated in the horizontal section 
  
 
 
1 (a) None  
 (b) None 
 
2) None 
3) (a) Unbound 
 (b) None  
 
 
  
 
 
4) (a) Unbound 
 (b) Unbound except as indicated in the 
horizontal section 
 
 
 The following services at 
the port  are made 
available to international 
maritime transport 
suppliers on reasonable 
and non discriminatory 
terms and conditions 
1. Pilotage 
2. Towing and tug 
assistance 
3. Provisioning, fuelling 
and watering 
4. Garbage collecting and 
waste disposal  
5. Harbor master service  
6. Navigation aids 
7. Shore-based operation, 
all services essential to 
ship operations including 
communications, water 
and electrical supplies 
8. Emergency repair 
facilities 
9. Anchorage, berth and 
berthing services 
 TN/S/O/SUR/Rev.1 
Page 10  
 
  
REFERENCE PAPER
 
 
Scope  
 
The following are definitions and principles on the regulatory framework for the basic 
telecommunications services.  Definitions
 
 
Users  mean service consumers and service suppliers. 
 
Essential facilities  mean facilities of a public telecommunications transport network or service 
that 
 
 (a) are exclusively or predominantly provided by a single or limited number of  
  suppliers; and  
(b) cannot feasibly be economically or tec hnically substituted in order to provide a 
service. 
 
A major supplier
 is a supplier which has the ability to materially affect the terms of 
participation (having regard to price and supply) in  the relevant market for basic telecommunications 
services as a result of :   (a) control over essential facilities; or 
 
 (b) use of its position in the market.  1. Competitive safeguards
 
 1.1 Prevention of anti-competitive practices in telecommunications
 
 
Appropriate measures shall be maintained for th e purpose of preventing suppliers who, alone 
or together, are a major supplier from engaging  in or continuing anti-competitive practices. 
 1.2 Safeguards
 
 
The anti-competitive practices referred to above shall include in particular: 
  (a) engaging in anti-competitive cross-subsidization;   (b) using information obtained from comp etitors with anti-competitive results; and 
 
 (c) not making available to other services suppliers on a timely basis technical 
 information about essential facilities and co mmercially relevant information which 
 are necessary for them to provide services. 
  TN/S/O/SUR/Rev.1 
 Page 11 
 
 
 2. Interconnection  
 2.1 This section applies to linking with supplie rs providing public telecommunications transport 
networks or services in order to allow the users of  one supplier to communicate with users of another 
supplier and to access services provided by anot her supplier, where specific commitments are 
undertaken. 
 2.2 Interconnection to be ensured
 
 
Interconnection with a major supplier will be ensu red at any technically feasible point in the 
network.  Such interconnection is provided. 
  (a) under non-discriminatory terms, cond itions (including technical standards and 
 specifications) and rates and of a quality no less favourable than that provided for its 
 own like services or for like services of non-affiliated service suppliers or for its 
 subsidiaries or other affiliates; 
  (b) in a timely fashion, on terms, c onditions (including technical standards and 
 specifications) and cost-oriented rates that are transparent, reasonable, having regard 
 to economic feasibility, and sufficient unbundled  so that the supplier need not pay for 
 network components or facilities that it does not require for the service to be 
 provided; and 
  (c) upon request, at points in addition to th e network termination points offered to the 
 majority of users, subject to charges that reflect the cost of construction of necessary  additional facilities. 
 
2.3 Public availability of the pro cedures for interconnection negotiations
  
 
The procedures applicable for interconnection to a major supplier will be made publicly 
available.  
2.4 Transparency of interconnection arrangements
 
 
It is ensured  that a major supplier will make  publicly available either its interconnection 
agreements or a reference interconnection offer.  
2.5 Interconnection:  dispute settlement
 
 
A service supplier requesting interconnection with  a major supplier will have recourse, either: 
  (a) at any time or  
 (b) after a reasonable period of time has been made publicly known 
 to an independent domestic body, which may be a regulatory body as referred to in paragraph 5 
below, to resolve disputes regarding appropriate te rms, conditions and rates for interconnection within 
a reasonable period of time, to the extent th at these have not been established previously. 
 TN/S/O/SUR/Rev.1 
Page 12  
 
 3. Universal service
 
 
Any Member has the right to define the kind of universal service obligation it wishes to 
maintain.  Such obligations will not be regarded as anti-competitive per se , provided they are 
administered in a transparent, non-discriminator y and competitively neutral manner and are not more 
burdensome than necessary for the kind of universal service defined by the Member. 
   
4. Public availability of licensing criteria
 
 
Where a licence is required, the following will be made publicly available: 
  (a) all the licensing criteria and the period of time normally required to reach a decision 
 concerning an application for a licence and  
 
 (b) the terms and conditions  of individual licences.  
  The reasons for the denial of  licence will be made known to the applicant upon request. 
 5. Independent regulators
 
 
The regulatory body is separate from, and not accountable to, any supplier of basic 
telecommunications services.  The decisions of and the procedures used by regulators shall be impartial with respect to all market participants.  
6. Allocation and use of scarce resources
 
 
Any procedures for the allocation and use of s carce resources, including frequencies, numbers 
and rights of way, will be carried out in an obj ective, timely, transparent and non-discriminatory 
manner.  The current state of allocated frequenc y bands will be made available, but detailed 
identification of frequencies allocated for specific government uses is not required. 
 
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