Overseas territories: white paper or report – the campaign build-up ahead of the elections
The overseas territories are rallying and uniting. The first Overseas Territories Economic Conference, held from 16 to 18 July in Saint Martin, is expected to lead to sustainable solutions to support the economy, and a report to the Senate has already set out concrete proposals. For the overseas territories, it is urgent to take a stance before the presidential elections take place.
Following their respective General Meetings in March, CCI France and ACCIOM (Association of Overseas Chambers of Commerce and Industry) unanimously approved the organisation of the first ‘Overseas Economic Forum’ in Saint Martin. Over three days, either in person or via videoconference, the presidents of the chambers of commerce and industry from eleven overseas territories pooled their analyses, their insights and the realities facing their territories, and drew up proposals to promote economic development. These proposals, which have been announced as achievable without any additional budget – with some costing nothing at all – and directly implementable by businesses, will form the basis of a white paper to be unveiled in September. The aim is for every member of the government and, ultimately, every candidate in the presidential election to be made aware of these proposals. The conclusions of this conference will then be officially presented next October at the first ‘Choose Outre-mer’ summit, organised at the request of Naïma Moutchou, Minister for Overseas Territories. At the same time, the information report by the Senate Delegation for Overseas Territories on economic sectors of the future sets out 21 recommendations. The message put forward by Senators Annick Girardin (Minister for Overseas Territories from 2017 to 2020), Marie-Laure Phinera-Horth and Vivette Lopez is essentially the same as that championed by the overseas Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCIs): “We must no longer view the overseas territories as peripheral regions, but as strategic territories, fully integrated into their regional environment and capable of enriching both national and European sovereignty…”. They believe that in terms of “renewable energy, the blue economy, the digital sector, fisheries, agriculture, research, biodiversity and local expertise… our territories possess immense assets, but these are still too often held back by remoteness, unsuitable standards, a lack of investment or insufficient recognition of their specific characteristics”. The list of proposals put forward can be viewed at www.senat.fr/rap/r25-850/r25-8501.pdf
