Local Content Forum opens discussion about local content to a wider audience
Broadening the discussion on local content. With that in mind, APA Suriname organized the two-day Local Content Forum during SEOGS 2026, which concluded today.
During the forum, entrepreneurs, policymakers, educational institutions, and companies discussed how Suriname can derive more benefit from the growth of the energy sector. The emphasis was on the development of skilled professionals, knowledge transfer, the participation of local suppliers, and strengthening cooperation between national and international parties. The well-attended sessions covered a wide range of topics, such as how contracts are drafted and how Surinamese companies can better position themselves within the oil and gas sector. Drawing on the diverse backgrounds of the panelists, the challenges surrounding the effective implementation of local content were addressed.
“We have been working on SEOGS for six years now, and from the very beginning, local content has been one of the most important topics,” says Aishel Bradley, External Affairs Representative of APA Suriname and one of the organizers. “Last year, we noticed that SEOGS’s admission prices were not affordable for everyone. That is why we decided this year not to keep the Local Content Forum separate, but rather to make it accessible to the general public. Everyone could register and attend the forum: not just international guests or people already close to the oil and gas sector, but specifically the people we will need in the future. We want to involve them in the discussion and think together about the question: how do we move forward with Suriname?”
According to Bradley, the program was put together in close collaboration with the SEOGS organization.
“People reacted incredibly enthusiastically to the discussions. They were happy that the forum was accessible to everyone. There are already requests for a follow-up, because many people still have questions or need more information. Therefore, we are looking at how we can incorporate these points into a platform that allows us to continue informing people about local content.”
Bradley further indicates that there is still a large gap between the demand for and the supply of local labor and companies. “That gap lies primarily in the awareness of what the oil and gas industry needs, which training courses must be taken for it, and the willingness to work in the sector. Not everyone wants to work twelve hours a day or stay offshore for a month. These are factors that can deter people from choosing this sector. Therefore, make sure you are well informed and be certain that you want to take this step. The sector offers a bright future, but you do have to be willing to work hard for it.”
Yesterday, the government, Staatsolie, and TotalEnergies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for, among other things, the further development of vocational education and trade training in Suriname. Bradley calls this a positive development, because, according to her, education plays a key role within local content. “With the signing of the MoU, an important step has been taken to prepare the workforce for the labor market required for the oil and gas sector. The MoU demonstrates that not only oil and gas companies, but also the government, will commit to this. It involves strengthening the skills of Surinamese people through training and education. Through education, we want to ensure that Surinamese people are ready when oil production starts in 2028, so that we can proudly say: ‘Our Surinamese are contributing to this too.’”
Tomorrow, the Youth, Entrepreneur and Innovation Fair will be held during SEOGS, specifically for students, young professionals, and start-up entrepreneurs. The event aims to connect business leaders and government representatives with Surinamese students and young professionals to explore how young people can actively contribute to shaping the future of the country.Local Content Forum opens discussion about local content to a wider audience