FRENCH POLYNESIA: Economy suffering from political instability
Updated
The Council of Businesses of French Polynesia is warning about the perilous state of the economy after three years of political instability. The President of the Council is scheduled to meet tomorrow with the visiting French Overseas Secretary of State, Christian Estrosi to discuss the situation.
Presenter: Elsa Klockenbring
Speakers: Jacques Billon-Tyrard, President Council of Businesses
ELSA KLOCKENBRING: The Council of Businesses of French Polynesia has been warning the territory politicians for some months about the impact of the unstable political situation on the local economy. The local businessmen can't implement economi projects because of the frequent changes in Government. The companies need the support of the local Government that they want to be able to rely on a stable, long term economy policy. The President of the Council of Businesses, Jacques Billon-Tyrard says the local companies need better infrastructure like roads, ports and airports.
JACQUES BILLON-TYRARD: The development of French Polynesia will only be possible with help from the French state. here is a lack of infrastructure equipment. This equipment will allow the industries to develop but we need the help from France. We can't do it on our own. We don't have the means. If France gives us the budget, the French Polynesian professionals will be able to develop the tourism industry.
ELSA KLOCKENBRING: Jacques Billon-Tyrard says the French Polynesia economy also depends on the local Government.
JACQUES BILLON-TYRARD: This money from the French state helps the local economy to survive, but important decisions, important infrastructures like harbors, airports, roads, means for the local industry, these infrastructures which allow development are not built because the local governments don't stay in power for long.
ELSA KLOCKENBRING: He says the political situation in French Polynesia prevents the economy from developing.
JACQUES BILLON-TYRARD: We also need in French Polynesia local politicians to implement economical development projects, but recently the elections brought to power unstable majorities. We had four or five governments in three years, the governments don't stay for more than five months but the economy depends on long term projects.
ELSA KLOCKENBRING: Mr Billon-Tyrard says that at the moment no one wants to invest money.
JACQUES BILLON-TYRARD: With this political climate the investors lose their confidence. The population believes in a 'wait and see' policy. This behavior has an impact on people who don't want to spend their money. We want stable politics with a vision of the future.
ELSA KLOCKENBRING: He says business people want reassurance from the French Overseas Secretary of State.
JACQUES BILLON-TYRARD: First we want to be sure that France doesn't forget French Polynesia because our country needs support. We all have to study the economical projects, we need Europe to help us and France could seek help from Europe for us.
