The Papeete Administrative Court ruled this morning in favor of pearl industry professionals, annulling the service agreement procedure between Maison de la Perle and international consultant Gaetano Cavalieri.
This decision follows an emergency petition filed by the collective “Hands Off My Pearl,” which raised significant concerns about:
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Absence of public tender process
- Failure to meet mandatory public procurement requirements
Key Outcomes:
✔ The Tahitian Cultured Pearl Dealers’ Union and GIE Tahiti Pearl Auction prevailed as legal parties
✔ Court ordered Maison de la Perle to pay 150,000 FCFP in damages
✔ Future consortium plans must comply with public tender regulations
The ruling fundamentally disrupts the Tahiti Pearl Consortium initiative – an ambitious project to revitalize the pearl sector. Should Maison de la Perle wish to proceed, it must now:
- Launch proper competitive bidding
- Adhere to public procurement rules
- Ensure transparent candidate selection
“This validates our fight for fair industry practices,” declared a collective spokesperson. The decision sets a precedent for governmental accountability in Polynesia’s pearl trade.
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