Government of Pará and French Guiana advance in the construction of a treaty
The main objective of the meeting was to align the priority axes that will compose the cooperation treaty currently under construction between the Government of Pará and the Guiana Work Commission (CTG)
The Secretariat of Economic Development, Mining and Energy (Sedeme), represented by the head of the department, Paulo Bengtson, took another step towards strengthening bilateral relations by receiving, on the afternoon of Monday (20), the vice-president of the Territorial Collectivity of French Guiana (CTG) and the delegate for Economic Development, Jean-Luk Lewest. The meeting was led by the secretary and was attended by the permanent representative of the CTG in Pará, Christian Haridas, members of the diplomatic delegation, the director of Energy at Sedeme, Mauro Bastos, and advisor Leonardo Lobato.
The main objective of the meeting was to align the priority axes of strategic areas that will compose the cooperation treaty currently under construction between the Government of Pará and the Guiana Work Commission (CTG). The initiative seeks to strengthen institutional dialogue and promote opportunities for sustainable economic development, consolidating advances and expanding strategic actions aimed at strengthening joint initiatives between the territories. Another relevant point was the promotion of cultural exchange, expansion of partnerships in scientific research and technological innovation, with an emphasis on sustainable solutions for the Amazon region.
During his speech, the head of Sedeme, Paulo Bengtson, presented the activities that boost the economy of Pará, highlighting investor attraction policies aligned with sustainable development and the commitment to reducing pollutant gas emissions. He emphasized the strong performance of agribusiness, with one of the largest cattle herds in the country. He also mentioned the significant production of minerals such as iron, copper, and lithium, as well as the relevance of sectors such as trade, energy generation, and services.
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was also highlighted by Bengtson: "The GDP of Pará is one of the largest in the North Region, driven by activities such as beef production, soy, and corn," he said. In the first quarter of 2025, the State recorded growth of 5.36%, surpassing the national average of 2.85%. Bengtson also highlighted the international recognition of Pará's cuisine, celebrated for its diversity of flavors and local ingredients.
When addressing investment opportunities, he reinforced the search for partners committed to the green economy and sustainable development: "Pará is open for business — that promotes innovation and brings concrete benefits to Amazonians," he stated.
Jean-Luk Lewest expressed interest in strengthening economic relations with Pará. "We want to cooperate in the agricultural plan, as well as in areas such as gas, oil, mining, bioeconomy, and others. But everything starts, without a doubt, with the logistical connection between our territories. It is essential to establish an efficient transport infrastructure that allows the flow of goods between Pará and French Guiana," he pointed out.
"This process begins with cabotage transport and with the capacity to interconnect our economies. When these maritime routes are created, it will be much easier to implement a consistent import and export policy. Therefore, I consider it essential to receive Secretary Paulo Bengtson in Cayenne and, if possible, return to Pará to continue this very promising dialogue," he added.
