The European Union’s new Ambassador to Guyana, Luca Pierantoni, said Guyana is at the centre of regional transformation, with growing opportunities for green, digital, and sustainable enterprise.
Speaking at the Pegasus Hotel on Friday during the opening of the EU–Caribbean Export BRIDGE workshop, Pierantoni described Guyana as entering one of its most dynamic phases of development. The two-day forum seeks to boost trade, investment, and innovation through EU-funded support for green and digital transitions across the Caribbean.
“This is a much more exciting moment in the life of Guyana than it was ten years ago… Now you start having an idea of what will come next. But it is still, perhaps, that phase of development where you are in the middle of it. You don’t see the benefits, but you see some challenges,” he said.
Pierantoni, who recently assumed duties in Georgetown, said the EU intends to strengthen its presence and business partnerships in Guyana, urging stakeholders to submit project ideas under the CARIFORUM–EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
“The first question that I’m here to ask you is any idea, any initiative to submit to us or discuss with us. This is why we are here: to listen, to discuss, to try to find new initiatives,” he told participants.
The BRIDGE initiative — short for Building Resilient and Innovative Development through Green and Digital Enterprises — provides grants of up to €100,000 for green transition projects and €50,000 for digital transformation initiatives.
Pierantoni said Guyana’s expanding role in regional trade aligns with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, which promotes sustainable, people-centred investment partnerships worldwide.
He added that with Guyana’s rapid economic growth, particularly in energy and infrastructure, the country represents a strategic point of collaboration between Europe and the wider Caribbean.
The workshop, held in collaboration with the Caribbean Export Development Agency, brought together regional entrepreneurs, policymakers, and EU officials to explore new areas of cooperation in technology, green innovation, and market access.
