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Changing the perception of the overseas territories. This is the goal that senators are pursuing through their latest report, titled “Economic Sectors of the Future in the Overseas Territories: An Ocean of Opportunities.” For six months, the Senate Delegation for Overseas Territories, chaired by Micheline Jacques, examined the economies of the overseas territories in order to highlight their potential. The rapporteurs—Annick Girardin (Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon), Vivette Lopez (Gard), and Marie-Laure Phinera-Horth (French Guiana) formulated 21 recommendations and are calling on the government to spearhead an industrial policy in support of these territories.
Aquaculture, biodiversity, and local medicinal plants—each territory has assets that can be developed into “strong sectors capable of generating jobs and growth.” Like all the territories, Saint Barthélemy is featured in the report, particularly in relation to tourism development. “What has made the island so special is its authenticity,” says Micheline Jacques. “But since the hotels have been bought out by large chains, they tend to want to standardize things, which, in my opinion, risks destroying the territory’s appeal. “If we have the same thing in Saint-Tropez, why would anyone travel thousands of kilometers to come to Saint Barth?”
In its contribution to the report, the Multiprofessional Economic Chamber (CEM) highlights this internationally recognized culture of high-end service, which is increasingly being studied by neighboring regions. The CEM confirms the importance of tourism to the local economy but also suggests other activities with potential in Saint Barth, such as small-scale local food processing, the development of water sports and maritime maintenance activities, waste recovery, and the energy transition. “The idea is to identify economic sectors that are not tied to tourism in order to reduce the risk of over-reliance,” explains Thierry Gréaux.
The CEM director also shared his expertise with members of the Overseas Territories Delegation, who visited the island on Friday, July 10, as part of a fact-finding mission on the economic development strategy for the overseas territories. Throughout the day, the lawmakers met with representatives from the Collectivité, the CEM, the harbor master’s office, and the Tourism Committee to prepare their own report. “We’re visiting all the territories, asking local stakeholders to share their perspectives and aspirations with us,” explains Davy Rimane, chair of the National Assembly’s Overseas Territories Delegation. “That way, we can translate them into budgetary terms, because that’s where decisions are ultimately made.” In Thierry Gréaux’s view, these exchanges with lawmakers are an opportunity to share the challenges each territory may face: “This is the time to get our messages across, so that they understand the impact of the decisions they may make, because we’re the ones on the ground.”
The CEM at the Overseas Economic Conference
A first-of-its-kind participation. On Thursday, July 16, and Friday, July 17, Thierry Gréaux and Jérémy Laplace will represent Saint Barthélemy at the Overseas Economic Conference. This new event is taking place in Saint Martin through Saturday. The goal: to bring together all the presidents of the chambers of commerce and industry in the overseas territories. This initiative was launched in March 2026, following the respective General Assemblies of CCI France and the ACCIOM (Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the Overseas Territories). This first phase will be followed in September by a presentation in Paris of “strategic proposals for the economic development of the overseas territories, resulting from the work conducted during this conference.”
