French Polynesia’s Minister of the Blue Economy, Teva Rohfritsch, officially concluded the inaugural Pearl Forum held October 20-21 at the CCISM (Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Services and Skilled Trades) amphitheater in Papeete. Organized by the Tahitian Pearl Association of French Polynesia (TPAFP) under President Aline Baldassari-Bernard, with support from CCISM and Air Tahiti Nui, the event gathered nearly 100 pearl industry professionals.
Over two days of intensive discussions, eight speakers addressed critical themes spanning R&D, environmental and health monitoring, to pearl marketing strategies. The North American market received special focus through presentations by renowned American gemologist Étienne Perret.
In his closing address, Minister Rohfritsch outlined key elements of the proposed pearl sector reform, emphasizing:
- Production regulation through national quotas
- Classification modernization to meet international standards
- Enhanced oversight of industry stakeholders
- Sustainable practices including lagoon preservation and waste recycling
This ambitious reform aims to modernize French Polynesia’s pearl industry while ensuring its long-term viability amid current economic and environmental challenges.
The Pearl Forum served as a vital platform for professionals to exchange ideas, explore innovation pathways, and collectively commit to building a sustainable future for Polynesia’s pearl industry.
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