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French Guiana Business

 

Economic Overview:

French Guiana is heavily dependent on France for subsidies, trade, and goods. The main industries are fishing (accounting for three-quarters of foreign exports), gold mining and timber. In addition, the Guiana Space Centre at Kourou accounts for 25% of the GDP and employs about 1700 people. There is very little manufacturing. Agriculture is largely undeveloped and is mainly confined to the area near the coast — sugar and bananas are two of the main cash crops grown. Tourism, especially eco-tourism, is growing. Unemployment is a major problem, running at about 20% to 30%. In 2006 the GDP per capita of French Guiana at market exchange rates, not at PPP, was €13,800 (US$17,380) which was 48% of Metropolitan France's average GDP per capita that year.