France and Guyana

Political relations

Bilateral relations are principally centred on the relationship between Guyana and French Guiana.

As regards trade, Guyana is France’s 34th largest client in the region and its 163rd largest global trading partner. In 2018, French exports to Guyana stood at €2.5 million and imports from Guyana at €17.1 million. France and Guyana recorded trade of €19.7 million in 2018, representing a 51% increase on 2017. Agrifood products are France’s main import from Guyana (50.9% in 2018), followed by hydrocarbons (37.3%).

Regarding cooperation, the French Facility for Global Environment (FFEM) provided €1.62 million in funding for a regional WWF project on the sustainable management of forest resources across the Guiana Shield. A new regional project started in 2013 as part of the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) initiative. The FFEM made a financial commitment of €1 million out of a total budget of €3.2 million. Co-financing on the European Interreg co-operation fund rounds out the funding plan.

Guyana is involved in certain French regional educational projects for fighting trafficking (particularly of narcotics). Furthermore, training sessions are held regularly in Guyana in the field of forensics and civilian protection. A 2004 agreement sets out the conditions for preparing French military detachments for joint training operations in Guyana.

French presence

French consulate: consular section of the French Embassy in Paramaribo, Suriname. France also has an Honorary Consul in Georgetown.
French community in Guyana: 20

Visits

Mr Léon Bertrand, French Minister Delegate for Tourism, visited Georgetown on 24 October 2005. This was the first visit to Guyana by a French Minister. Ms Chantal Berthelot, who represents French Guiana in the National Assembly of France, visited Georgetown from 3 to 7 August 2009 where she met the main political leaders. Bilateral consultations between senior officials were held in Georgetown on 13 May 2010.

Ambassadors

French Ambassador (in residence in Paramaribo): Mr Antoine Joly (since April 2017)
Guyana Ambassador in France (in residence in London): Mr Frederick Hamley Case (since June 2016)

^{Updated: February 2020}