The Papeete Administrative Court has nullified the service agreement procedure for creating the “Tahiti Pearl Consortium.” This ruling now requires the Maison de la Perle – despite its status as a Public Industrial and Commercial Establishment (EPIC) – to comply with public procurement rules to finalize the agreement. Mandatory steps will include:
- Launching a competitive tender process
- Publishing official notices
- Ensuring proper competition among bidders
The cancellation follows an emergency pre-contractual appeal filed by:
✔ The Tahitian Cultured Pearl Dealers’ Union
✔ GIE Tahiti Pearl Auction
The decision comes as a surprise, particularly since:
- 500 million FCFP for project financing
- Fees for international expert Gaetano Cavalieri
had already been allocated in French Polynesia’s 2013 budget.
Budget Assembly Debate
The Tahiti Pearl Consortium controversy dominated budget discussions, with:
- Government defending the project
- Opposition unsuccessfully attempting to redirect funds
Key concerns focused on: - Frequent project modifications
- Financial implications
- Complex funding structure
- Management uncertainties under the new framework
“This ruling reinforces procurement transparency, but delays critical sector reforms,” commented an industry observer. The decision leaves the pearl industry’s restructuring at a crossroads, with legal compliance now dictating the timeline.
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