CNES as a partner for development in French Guiana

Introduction

Besides pursuing its principal mission in French Guiana (Space activities and the coordination of operations at the Space Centre), CNES has been authorised by the French Government to increase its contribution to the local economy by drawing on its own skills and its national and international networks. This is principally channelled through the CNES Guiana Mission which was set up in Cayenne in January 2000.

The CNES/CSG Guiana Mission recommends projects and actions to contribute to the economic development of French Guiana and provides assistance for undertaking them. These are based on strategic themes and policies formulated by the State or the Regional authorities of Guiana under the 12th Five-Year Plan 2000 - 2006 or by local authorities (towns or groups of towns).

Fields of activity

• Drawing up applications for funding under arrangements between the State and the Region (help with investment in SMEs, help with developing tourism, help for private initiatives, help with town and country planning etc.) and following through.
• Participating in loan guarantee committees of local development organisations (West Guiana Initiative, Central Guiana Initiative, East-Central Guiana Initiative) and the association for the right to set up businesses (ADIE) which encourages small-scale private initiatives.
• Drawing up agreements between CNES and local authorities in French Guiana and following through.
• Providing expert assistance in various fields (telemedicine, aeronautics etc.)
• Participating in the Guiana Technopole, of which the Director of CNES/CSG is the First Vice-President. Its mission is to facilitate the emergence of projects that can benefit from start-up funding, with help from an influential permanent network of the principal players in the region (the Regional Council, which presides over the Technopole, the Guianese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, CNES, EDF Guyane, the Guianese employers’ union and the education authority).
• CNES has a representative on the Board of the Guiana Tourism Committee.