► GICAT opens an office in Kyiv, symbolising long-term support to Ukraine

Paris, Wednesday, December 11, 2024 – GICAT, the French Land and Air-Land Defence and Security Industries Association, represented by its international advisor, Marc-Henri Figuier, and Head of International Affairs, Théo Geandreau, has officially opened its representative office in Kyiv, Ukraine. The event marks a significant step in the commitment of French businesses to support Ukraine’s defence and security efforts, in collaboration with local partners. Thomas Moreau, CEO of Lafayette Risk Intelligence, has been appointed as GICAT’s new representative in Ukraine.

An office to strengthen relations and cooperation

The role of the new office will include:

• Representing French defence and security industry and thereby helping to build close ties between France and Ukraine;
• Detecting specific defence and security needs on the ground;
• Creating opportunities for networking between French and Ukrainian industrial players to foster concrete, long-term partnerships;
• Assisting French businesses with their ventures in Ukraine, through a widely recognised local presence;
• Supporting Ukraine’s reconstruction process.

At the inauguration, GICAT also strengthened its partnerships in the country by signing another Memorandum of Understanding with its Ukrainian counterpart FEU Defence (Federation of Ukrainian Employers – Defence).

A shared vision

In his inaugural address, Marc-Henri Figuier mentioned that GICAT was the first foreign defence industry group to open a representative office in the country. Attending the opening ceremony, Gaël Veyssiere, French Ambassador to Ukraine, and Sergiy Boyev, Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, welcomed the initiative and stressed how important a strong, permanent French industrial presence in Ukraine really is.

“GICAT’s new office is intended as much for French defence and security companies as it is for Ukrainians wishing to work with us. It symbolises our ambition to build a mutually beneficial partnership based on trust”.

Théo Geandreau, Head of International Affairs, GICAT.

A long-term commitment

GICAT has been very active in Ukraine since July 2023, working to boost cooperation between industrial companies, offer appropriate technological solutions and contribute to the country’s sovereignty and security. The new Kyiv office confirms GICAT’s long-term support to Ukraine in line with the policy adopted by France since February 24, 2022.