The Blue Wave Supplier Development Program, a joint initiative supported by Staatsolie, Chevron, and Exxon, was launched in July 2023 with the aim of providing local companies with the necessary resources and training to meet international standards and compete effectively in the market. Since its inception, the program has garnered significant interest, with 31 companies applying and 25 being selected for sponsorship. This program represents a tangible step towards strengthening Suriname's presence in the offshore industry, in line with the goals of Local Content.

On Monday, January 22, 2024, the closing ceremony of the first Blue Wave Supplier Development Program held in Suriname took place. Twenty-five small to medium-sized companies participated in this six-month business development program, where they received information and attended workshops on the requirements necessary to offer services or goods in specific sectors within the offshore oil industry.

Blue Wave is an American company that provides specific international qualifications to (potential) suppliers in the oil industry. The program equips companies with the necessary information and tools to meet current qualifications of the international industry through workshops, access to a platform with documents required for international qualifications and certifications, as well as personal coaching and support.

One of the participants, Rajiv Hieralal of RFH Agencies, noted that the Blue Wave program has been valuable to him. The program is internationally recognized and can open doors to the international oil industry for Surinamese companies. "The one-on-one coaching sessions on finance, quality, and Health Safety Security & Environment (HSSE) appealed to me. It has provided us with valuable information to implement new systems within our company and improve existing ones. We have independently initiated a HSSE program within our company."

Janneke Tammenga, Head Planning & Control of Heavy Equipment Rental, also found the sessions informative, comprehensive, and highly relevant to her company. She expressed her satisfaction with the initiative, saying, "We hope that our Blue Wave badge will bring more recognition to our services. The information about the required documentation and international standards for participating in tenders is valuable knowledge, and Surinamese companies cannot operate in isolation. Blue Wave helps us establish international connections. Our sessions were entirely online, but we have recommended having physical sessions for networking and more interaction. Therefore, the program for the next group will also include physical sessions. This shows that our feedback is taken seriously."

The program started in July 2023 with a group of 25 entrepreneurs who met the specified criteria. The program costs were largely covered by Staatsolie and its offshore oil partners Chevron and ExxonMobil, while participating companies made their own contributions for participation.

As Rajiv Hieralal emphasized, entrepreneurship does not follow a linear path to success, but this program offers a clear opportunity for companies to achieve their desired success. Partnerships are seen as the key to success in this dynamic industry.

In February 2024, a new group of thirty companies will begin the Blue Wave program. The information day for this group took place on January 23, 2024. Staatsolie will continue to work in collaboration with the local business community to further support Surinamese companies in their preparations, enabling them to maximize the benefits from offshore oil and gas developments for Suriname. This represents a significant step towards a stronger and more sustainable Surinamese business presence in the international arena.

Sign up on the Suriname Supplier Registration Portal to receive information about upcoming programs.