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THE ANNUAL ROTARY DISTRICT 7030 CONFERENCE
“Light up Rotary”
From April 8th till the 11th Paramaribo, Suriname, will be the site of the Annual Conference of
the Rotary District 7030.
For the third time the Rotary Clubs of Suriname will be hosting the District Conference and
we welcome this opportunity to showcase our beautiful country, the abundance of our local
cuisine and show off the renowned hospitality of our people.
The following information was compiled to get you in the right frame of mind and prepare
you for this big fellowship event.
Just in case you are still not sure whether to come to Suriname, this information will
hopefully convince you that missing this Conference will be about the d….. thing you could
ever do.
PROFILE OF SURINAME
Suriname is a country of contrast, of simplicity, of charm. It is virtually an unspoiled paradise
for nature lovers. It is a land where the Amer-Indians, Bush-Negroes, Chinese, Creoles,
East-Indians, Indonesians, Lebanese, Europeans and other ethnic groups are intermixed
harmoniously, resulting in a variety of exotic and delectable cuisines to choose from.
The territory of the Republic of Suriname is located on the northwestern section of the
South- American subcontinent.
In the north, Suriname borders to the Atlantic Ocean, in the south to Brasil, in the east to
French Guiana and in the west to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.
Suriname was probably named after an Amer-Indian tribe, the Surinen, which lived in the
area of the first settlement of the colonists. It was called Dutch Guiana to distinguish it from
French Guiana and former British Guiana.
Suriname has a land area of about 70.000 square miles and in land size it is somewhat
larger than Florida in the USA.
Our country has a population of about 550,000 inhabitants, of whom over one third live in
and around the capital Paramaribo.
Dutch is the official language. Through the years a lingua franca, “Sranan-tongo” has
evolved, influenced by the different ethnic groups and their specific languages.
English is widely spoken, however.
PARAMARIBO
Paramaribo the capital of Suriname, was established around the year 1613 when colonists
established a fort close to the vicinity of an Amer-Indian village called Parmurbo.
The town was mainly built of wooden buildings since wood was available in abundance.
There are still remarkably preserved buildings from the early years of our capital around. It is
a sprawling city and it would take weeks to really see it all. But while you are here, we will
certainly give it a try to make you enjoy our city as much as possible.
TRAVEL FORMALITIES
Visa are usually required except for the inhabitants of CARICOM and some other countries.
For the visitors of the District Conference however, special arrangements are being made by
the Conference Organizing Committee (C.O.C).
Rotarians with NON-Caricom passports:
• Please check the link below if Tourist cards applies for your nationality.
http://www.consulaatsuriname.nl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1
51&Itemid=77&lang=english.
If applicable, please purchase the Tourist Cards (USD25) at the boarder/airport.
• If not please apply for a Visa at the Surinamese Consulate in your country.
• If there is no Surinamese Consulate in your country you can apply for a Visa on
Arrival (please contact the Conference Secretary: [email protected]).
For more information please follow this link:
http://www.consulaatsuriname.nl/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id
=29&Itemid=54&lang=english.
In order to expedite the Tourist Card of process we would appreciate it to get a list of all
Rotarians of your Clubs participating in the Conference. We need Names, Nationality,
Passport number, Arrival and Departure dates.
IMPORT RESTRICTIONS
The normal restrictions also apply to Suriname, like, no plants, no weapons, no ammunition,
not more than 2 liter of alcoholic beverages, but that is about it. Although raw foodstuff is not
really permissible; only raw meat in large quantities might cause a problem. Pets should
have a valid health certificate not older than two weeks. Dogs and cats should be vaccinated
against rabies at least a month prior to arrival. Import duties on pets will have to be paid.
EXPORT RESTRICTIONS
There are hardly any export restrictions as long as you can establish that you are taking the
items for your personal use. For items over a USD100 you should have a license, but in
case you decide to do so, notify the secretary of the Conference Organizing Committee
(C.O.C). and we will take care of things.
BUSINESS HOURS
The business hours are as follows:
Government offices: Monday - Friday from 7 am - 3 pm
Private offices: Monday - Friday from 8 am - 4 pm
Shops: Monday – Saturday from 7 am - 10 pm
Stores: Monday - Friday from 8 am - 4.30 pm, Saturday from 8 am – 1.00 pm
Banks: Monday - Friday from 7.30 am - 2 pm
CURRENCY
In Suriname the Suriname Dollar (SRD) is used.
The official exchange rates of a few relevant currencies are:
Currency
Rate
US$
1 : 3,35 – 3,55
Euro’s
1 : 4.00 – 4,25
Please check for current details: http://www.cbvs.sr/
In most stores and shops US$ are accepted.
TIPPING
Most leading hotels and restaurants add 10% service charge to their bills. Where it is
omitted, a tip of 5 - 10% is sufficient.
CLOTHING
For events check the dress code on the program.
Casual and light clothing is recommended for non-official activities, due to the warm and
humid climate.
The Opening Ceremony followed by a reception will require formal attire.
The Opening Ceremony will be in the Basilica, the largest wooden building in the Western
Hemisphere.
Ladies, no bare shoulders are allowed in the Basilica, however a scarf covering your
shoulders is acceptable.
ELECTRICITY
127 volts and 60 cycles. The big hotels have outlets for shaving equipment in both 220V and
127V.
TRANSPORTATION
This is one thing you don’t have to worry too much about during your visit.
Transportation from/to the airport and to all official events from the official conference hotels
will be provided free of charge by the C.O.C. Please let us know in advance if you will make
use of this opportunity to be picked up at the airport, because this will have to be arranged.
If you’re the adventurous type and like to do some exploring in the city and such, taxis and
rental cars are available. We will be happy to assist in making your choice. In Suriname we
do drive on the left side of the road.
WATER
Our water is pure and healthy and can safely be drunk from the tap. In the interior, the
Surinamese themselves drink the clear, chalybeate water of springs and wells.
However bottled water will be available at all venues.
CONVENTION VENUE
The PETS training will be held at hotel Krasnapolsky Hotel and the convention activities will
be held in the ballroom at hotel Torarica.
WHERE TO STAY
Please check the accommodation page: http://dc2015.rotarysuriname.org/accomodation/
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
We decided to invite some of our leading companies to the Opening reception in the garden
of De Surinaamsche Bank, the host of this evening.
This Welcome reception with a twist, called the “Suritwist”, will be held on the 9th of April.
About 25 of the best-known companies in Suriname will be present with their staff and an
information booth. The companies will be from different sectors like Agriculture, Art and
Craft, Construction, Finance, Horticulture, Industry, Lumber, Mining, Telecommunication,
Tourism, Transport, Trade and Industry.
Besides meeting old friends on the Welcome reception you might seize this opportunity to
get some firsthand information from, or do some business with, the participating companies.
FELLOWSHIP IN THE EVENING
Every night from Wednesday the 8th till Friday the 10th of April there will be a hospitality
fellowship event starting at 10.30pm till 1am at the bar-restaurant,‘t Vat, across the
conference hotel Torarica. The Rotary house band (RHB) and others will entertain you
nightly. Available drinks will be free so we urge you to bring a bottle(s) of liquor from your
country to boost the atmosphere of the party.
If you play an instrument or sing and would like to join in, let us know what instrument you
play so we can take care of it and what song(s) you would like to perform. If there is a
version on “You Tube” please send us the link so that the RHB can practice in advance.
INTERIOR TOURS
If you want the thrill of your life you should visit the interior of Suriname where the Amazon
jungle in all its splendor, mystery and virginity, will give you that long lost feeling of
tranquility, being one with nature (maybe for the first time ever) and discovering the joy of
just being an insignificant creature in God’s Paradise. During the conference there will be
ample opportunities for tours please check the spouse and pre-conference program on our
website.