French Guiana Country Summary

French Guiana is an overseas department and region of France. As such, we are including the information for France below:

FATF Status

France is not on the FATF List of Countries that have been identified as having strategic AML deficiencies

Compliance with FATF Recommendations

The latest follow-up Mutual Evaluation Report relating to the implementation of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing standards in France was undertaken in 2022. According to that Evaluation, France was deemed Compliant for 19 and Largely Compliant for 18 of the FATF 40 Recommendations. It was rated Highly Effective for 3 and Substantially Effective for 6 of the Effectiveness & Technical Compliance ratings.

French Guiana, as an overseas department of France, is subject to the same legal frameworks and anti-corruption measures as mainland France. Recent legislative efforts, such as the "Restoring Confidence in Public Life" law and the "Loi Sapin II," aim to enhance transparency and accountability among public officials, although concerns remain regarding the effectiveness of these measures in curbing corruption and ensuring the integrity of public administration.

French Guiana's economy is closely tied to its status as a French overseas department and its integration into the European Union, with the euro serving as its official currency. While the region has historically experienced robust economic growth, it has faced stagnation and recession since 2013, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with persistent high unemployment rates and reliance on key industries such as gold mining and fishing. The investment climate is influenced by a stable legal framework and access to EU funding, yet challenges like social unrest, infrastructure deficiencies, and high living costs hinder the attraction of substantial foreign investment, despite emerging opportunities in tourism and eco-tourism.