PM discusses oil and gas, defence, tourism and business development with FrenchAmbassador

-Tells delegation Guyana is open for investment-

Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, today, held fruitful talks with French Ambassador, His Excellency Antoine Joly where he indicated that Guyana is open for investment.

Mr. Joly and other members of his delegation, including private sector representatives, were at the time paying a courtesy call on the high-ranking government official at his office.

Among topics discussed were the emerging oil and gas sector, defence, tourism and business development.

The Prime Minister indicated the Government’s willingness to see more investments, especially in the recently liberalised telecommunications sector.

He noted that this sector should benefit Guyanese in all parts of the country.

“What we want to achieve is to bridge the digital divide so that the people in our hinterland…can also be connected,” the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minster added that liberalisation brings about competition, which translates to better quality, advanced technology and a reduction in cost for consumers.

He told the French Ambassador that Guyana is open for investment and urged him to reach out to the private sector and other agencies of Government that are focused on foreign direct investment.

French Ambassador, Mr. Antoine Joly said that France is looking to expand its presence in Guyana and to get involved in mutually beneficial projects between the two nations. 

“…My President, my Government, we want to increase the relationship with the Government here in Guyana… we have the tools and with these tools, it’s not only financing but its sharing knowledge,” the Ambassador noted.

The French delegation consisted of French Foreign Trade Advisor, Mr. Jean – Francois Gerin, French Defence attaché to Suriname and Guyana, Lieutenant Colonel Philippe Lamouret, French Development Agency, Representative to Guyana and Suriname, Ms. Milena Valbiena, Head of the Financial Department of the French Embassy in Suriname and in Guyana, Mr Patrick Laurain, Managing Director of Amazon Caribbean Guyana Limited, Mr. Christophe Sureau and Director of para las Americas, Mr. Yorgo Hernandez.