Paris, Wednesday, December 11, 2024 - Groupement des Industries de Défense et de Sécurité Terrestres et Aéroterrestres (GICAT), represented by its International Advisor, Marc-Henri FIGUIER, and its International Affairs Manager, Théo GEANDREAU, officially inaugurated its new representative office in Kiev, Ukraine. This event marks a significant step in the commitment of French companies to support Ukraine's defense and security efforts, in collaboration with its local partners. Thomas MOREAU, GICAT's new representative in Ukraine and Managing Director of Lafayette Risk Intelligence, has been entrusted with this representative mandate.
An office to strengthen ties and cooperation
The mission of this new office is to :
- Representing the French defense and security industry and helping to establish a special relationship between France and Ukraine;
- Identify specific defense and security needs in the field;
- Putting French and Ukrainian industrial players in touch with each other to foster concrete and lasting partnerships;
- Accompanying French companies in their business dealings in Ukraine, by ensuring a local presence identified by all;
- Supporting Ukraine in its reconstruction effort.
With this in mind, GICAT strengthened its local partnerships by signing a new Memorandum of Understanding with its Ukrainian counterpart FEU Defence (Federation of Ukrainian Defence Employers).
A shared vision
In his inaugural speech, Marc-Henri FIGUIER recalled that GICAT was the first foreign defense industry group to open a representative office in France.
Gaël VEYSSIERE, France's Ambassador to Ukraine, and Sergiy BOYEV, Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Defense, who attended the inauguration, welcomed the initiative and stressed the importance of a permanent, solid presence for French manufacturers in Ukraine.
"This GICAT office is as much the office for French defense and security companies as it is for Ukrainians wishing to work with us. It symbolizes our commitment to building a mutually beneficial partnership based on trust."
Théo GEANDREAU, GICAT International Affairs Manager.
A long-term commitment
Since July 2023, GICAT has been actively involved in Ukraine to strengthen cooperation between industrialists, propose appropriate technological solutions and contribute to the country's sovereignty and security. With this move to Kiev, GICAT affirms its long-term support for Ukraine, in line with French policy since February 24, 2022.
From left to right: Olga Kalender, Deputy Minister of Strategic Industries; Théo Geandreau, GICAT International Affairs Manager; Marc-Henri Figuier, GICAT International and Export Advisor; Sergiy Boyev, Deputy Minister of Defense and Thomas Moreau, GICAT Representative in Ukraine.
Press contacts :
Name: Delphine SAMPIC
Mail : delphine.sampic@gicat.fr
About GICAT :
Founded in 1978, GICAT brings together some 480 French companies active in land and air defense and security. Its mission is to promote their know-how and support their development in France and abroad.
