Marronomics as a concept of economic development - Part 1

The interior and deep jungle of Suriname have always been inhabited by indigenous people who lived and still live in communities and villages along rivers. History books mention the following people: Trio, Wayana, Lokono (Arowak), and Kaliña (Carib). Africans were transported from West Africa to Suriname as a result of the Trans-Atlantic Slavery (TAS, roughly the 16th-19th centuries). To escape this crime against humanity, the enslaved fled into the jungle and the interior. The interior of Suriname was not spared the consequences. These originally African inhabitants also settled along rivers and established communities and villages. The collective name for these people is "maroon," and they include: Ndyuka (Aukana), Saramaka, Aluku (Boni), Paramaka, Matawai, and Kwinti.

For their existence, (economic) development, and prosperity, both indigenous and Maroon peopleswere and still are dependent on raw materials, resources, knowledge, labor, and employmentopportunities in the interior. Land, land rights, and other instruments are essential for sustainableeconomic development. Long-term investments simply require continuity of business operations andthe ability to exert influence. With the future development of the oil and gas sector, the economicdevelopment of the non-mineral sector is also coming into play, and thus the interior of Suriname. Therole, knowledge, skills of communities, insights, and principles regarding the management ofresources, climate, biodiversity, and other economic factors in the interior must be properlyintegrated into policy, actions, and entrepreneurship: Marronomics.

In seeking a summary of Marronomics for guidance and direction, it's important to understand that it's primarily a concept that defines economic activity in and of the interior. Besides the conceptual framework, it must also provide specific details for policy, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation so that developments and accountability are properly understood at the national, regional, and international levels. Economy is about language, behavior, business attitude, principles and overmuch understand this. Much of what happens in the interior of Suriname (lifestyle, business climate, cultural background, traditions, etc.) is connected to the past, the origins of the communities now living in Suriname's interior, originating from the African continent. At all policy and institutional level(national, regional, global) this must be well understood and most and for all implemented in necessary legislation, rules, directives and the like.

Development through diversification has different economic dynamics, and business practices play a significant role in the direct involvement of the local community, institutions, and businesses. Institutions also refer to the local decision-making and meeting structures of tribal communities. Mapping and analyzing activities and projects (such as the West Klaaskreek project in the Brokopondo district), and documenting these in the form of data for policy development should contribute to usable and generally accepted Marronomics principles and concepts. Once the Maroon communitybenefits from the initiated economic development, urbanization and, with it, the pressure onmigration to the coastal area will decrease. Marronomics will therefore also need to evolve towards housing, recreation, and educational concepts that are attractive for living, recreation, and receiving a good education. Vocational training in various sectors is certainly necessary in this regard. For entrepreneurs and investors, this is a great opportunity to implement the so-called corporate socialresponsibility principle and reap economic value in return.

That developing an area like West Klaaskreek in Brokopondo and its inhabitants deserves a special label is clear to LOKEO (Agricultural Development Klaaskreek and Surroundings), the initiator of the development, and to Hugo Esseboom, the creator of this concept. The community and its leaders must promote themselves and their concept to attract attention and demonstrate that the economic development they have initiated is distinctive. With a sound structure, governance, passionate outgrowers, and awareness of the importance of agricultural entrepreneurship, Marronomics will playa significant role in the development of the interior and beyond. Besides agricultural entrepreneurship, there are also opportunities for companies in the metal industry and themaintenance of machinery and other heavy equipment. Diversification of the (domestic) economyand thinking in economic clusters are without any doubt part of Marronomic philosophy.

Marronomics:
- economic development and economic progress in and of the interior of Suriname, the Caribbean and African Union. Both development and progress are considered a movement form the past and future and therefore dynamic.
- to give a platform and leverage to the Afro-Surinamese, Caribbean and other descendant’s group to promote the African-Caribbean economy, trade, investment and knowledge sharing.