“France gave us an excellent start” – Chief Investment Officer as high-level investment mission continues in Europe

Guyana’s landmark outward investment mission to Europe has completed its first leg in France, with Chief Investment Officer and newly appointed Member of Parliament, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, describing the engagements as a strong launch to the eight-day tour. The Guyana–EU Global Gateway Study Tour, which brings together senior government officials and leaders from the private sector, is aimed at deepening trade, logistics and agro-processing partnerships with some of Europe’s most advanced institutions.

The delegation’s work in France saw high-level interactions in Paris and Marseille, where members studied Europe’s leading port, logistics, and digital transport systems. These included meetings with HAROPA Port at the Port of Gennevilliers, a detailed tour of the Port of Fos-Marseille and its eastern basin, and technical exchanges with MGI—the developers of Ci5, one of Europe’s most sophisticated Port Community Systems. Collectively, these sessions provided real-time exposure to integrated digital platforms, multimodal transport, and efficient public–private collaboration—factors that define modern port governance and supply-chain management across the EU.
Reflecting on the start of the mission, Dr. Ramsaroop noted that the lessons from France are directly applicable to Guyana’s current phase of rapid economic expansion and infrastructural transformation.
“France gave us an excellent start,” he said. “The insights from these ports and logistics companies are directly relevant to Guyana’s growth. As we move into the next countries, we will build on this momentum by engaging the EU’s leading institutions and private-sector partners. The upcoming meetings with DG INTPA, DG AGRI, and a range of European businesses will deepen our understanding of how Guyana can strengthen its connectivity, infrastructure and agri-export pathways.”
The next phase of the tour will take the delegation to Brussels for engagements with the Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) and DG AGRI, as well as key discussions with European dredging associations, seaport organisations, cruise liners, and multiple chambers of commerce. These sessions are expected to expand partnership options for Guyana’s growing maritime, logistics, and agri-processing sectors.
Members of the private sector participating in the mission also emphasised the value of the France leg. VEHSI Director, Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer, highlighted the strategic takeaways from observing one of the world’s most technologically coordinated port systems.
“The level of coordination between technology, governance and industry in the French port system shows the kind of modernisation Guyana can work toward even as it builds out new port infrastructure. These engagements gave us a clear picture of what is achievable,” he stated.
GMSA President, Rafeek Khan, pointed to the importance of Europe’s integrated logistics and agri-supply-chain models.
“Understanding how Europe integrates logistics and agri-supply chains provides valuable direction as Guyana improves its export systems. The lessons here will support competitiveness for our agro-processors and wider business community while ensuring financial sustainability of port operations,” he added.
The high-level mission—formally endorsed by the Private Sector Commission (PSC)—is the first of its kind for Guyana and represents a major step in positioning the country as a future logistics and agro-processing hub for the Caribbean and South America.
The PSC’s Executive Director, Nayteram Ramnarine, is participating alongside representatives from GO-Invest, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), the CARICOM Private Sector Organisation (CPSO), VEHSI, Crane Guyana Inc., Guyana Port Inc., Western Logistics Guyana, Banks DIH Ltd., DDL, UMAMI Inc., and other private-sector stakeholders. Delegates from Antigua, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the EU Delegation, and FIAP have also joined the mission, widening the platform for regional collaboration.
Over the coming days, the delegation will visit the ports of Antwerp-Bruges, Rotterdam, and Málaga—global leaders in sustainable port innovation and digitalisation. Academic sessions, including technical exchanges with Wageningen University, will expose Guyanese officials and business leaders to modern agro-processing systems, advanced food-safety frameworks, and key strategies for improving market access.
With France now concluded, the mission transitions into its next critical phase in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Spain. Delegates say the momentum gained so far has already set a strong foundation for the remainder of the tour, which is expected to deliver new pathways for investment, trade expansion, and long-term infrastructure transformation in Guyana.