The Competition Authority recently issued a critical opinion regarding the proposed local government bill to reform pearl farming regulations in French Polynesia. In its statement, the Authority highlights several potential competition distortions and proposes recommendations to address these issues. The bill will be reviewed this Tuesday by assembly representatives, who must examine the implications of these legislative revisions for the entire pearl sector.
Assembly debates will focus on regulations concerning production, marketing of pearl and mother-of-pearl products, as well as sector entry conditions. In its analysis, the Polynesian Competition Authority emphasized the need for earlier consultation, stating that prior discussions would have allowed for a more thorough study of the project’s competitive impacts. It particularly criticized certain proposals in the bill, including market access regulation, production quotas, and new licensing requirements for pearl farming activities.
Among the main reservations raised, the Authority recommends revising ecological and management caps, which it considers favorable to existing operators at the expense of new market entrants. Additionally, the failure to submit implementing decrees was seen as a significant shortcoming, leaving uncertainty about the new rules’ impact on competition.
The pearl farming reform, a key sector of Polynesia’s economy, is the subject of intense debate, and the bill’s review may lead to adjustments based on discussions among various political and economic stakeholders. The objective remains to ensure a competitive pearl sector while addressing the environmental and economic challenges of French Polynesia.
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