The Tahiti Pearl Consortium (TPC), the public-private partnership (SEM) established on February 8 by French Polynesia’s Assembly, faces significant hurdles in its formation process.
Core Challenge:
- Securing private investors to cover 15% of capital (90 million FCFP)
- This funding is critical for the TPC to fulfill its role in restructuring the pearl sector
Current Status:
- Formation remains incomplete
- Government-appointed board members already designated (April 10, 2013 Council of Ministers decree):
- Ministers Antony Geros, Temaurii Foster, Daniel Herlemme
- Assembly representative Victor Maamaatuaiahutapu
- Marine Resources Ministry describes this as “standard procedure”
Next Steps:
The incoming French Polynesian government will need to:
- Resolve private investment challenges
- Determine the project’s future direction
“This transitional phase leaves the pearl industry’s restructuring in uncertainty,” observes a sector analyst. The TPC’s viability now hinges on either attracting reluctant private capital or awaiting political reassessment.
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