How can an economic development strategy be built that is adapted to the realities of France's overseas territories? This is the central question of the fact-finding mission conducted by the National Assembly's Overseas Territories Delegation, several members of which traveled to Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy last week. Alongside Member of Parliament Frantz Gumbs, parliamentarians Emeline K/Bidi, Davy Rimane, Frédéric Maillot, Jean-Victor Castor, and Philippe Gosselin met with key economic stakeholders in the territories.
“This is not a parliamentary inquiry. We are producing data for external use in order to better understand the economic functioning of our territories and to identify solutions that work,” explains Emeline K/Bidi, the member of parliament from Réunion. After trips to Réunion, Mayotte, French Guiana, Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Saint Barthélemy, the delegation concluded its hearings in Saint Martin on Saturday.
The local authority, prefecture, CCISM (Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Services and Trades), tourist office, tourism club, MEDEF (Movement of the Enterprises of France), CESC (Economic, Social and Cultural Council), socio-professional organizations, and port authorities were all consulted. All hearings were based on a common questionnaire distributed beforehand to compare the realities of the different areas and identify potential levers for action. The final report, expected in October and co-authored by eleven rapporteurs, will serve as the basis for future parliamentary work.
A local strategy that enjoys consensus
Following the discussions, Emeline K/Bidi said she was “surprised to find a synergy and a shared vision” in Saint-Martin. According to her, local stakeholders are converging towards “a coherent vision of tourism,” without seeking to replicate the models of Saint-Barthélemy or Sint Maarten, but rather prioritizing more reasoned, heritage-focused, and sustainable development. She also emphasized that Saint-Martin shares with many other overseas territories the challenges related to regulations, transportation, and infrastructure, compounded by specific issues such as securing European funding, improving administrative efficiency (hampered by the decentralization of several state services to Guadeloupe), and adapting training programs.
MP Frantz Gumbs shares this observation. “There isn’t a significant difference in opinion among all the stakeholders,” he believes, seeing this as proof of a coherent local economic strategy, facilitated by the size of the territory. The elected officials also praised the effects of the overseas collectivity status. For Emeline K/Bidi, this structure allows for “better strategic management thanks to greater autonomy and streamlined institutions.” Frantz Gumbs, however, adds a caveat: “Willpower alone isn’t enough; political opportunities will dictate the decisions.”
“The brazen Parisianism of our ministries” – Frédéric Maillot, Member of Parliament for Réunion
For Frédéric Maillot, the member of parliament from Réunion, this tour is primarily an opportunity to better understand the realities of each territory. “You can’t defend something if you don’t understand it,” he summarizes, denouncing the weight of national regulations and “the Parisian lock,” which, according to him, hinder economic development in the overseas territories. “France is perhaps a federal state that doesn’t realize it.”
The same desire to achieve concrete results is shared by Guyanese MP Davy Rimane, president of the Overseas Territories Committee. “The report must trigger action,” he insists. He hopes its conclusions will inform upcoming budget debates and influence public policy. “The relationship between Paris and our territories cannot continue. It doesn't listen and it's destructive.” He points out that the 2026 draft budget allocates €2,8 billion to the overseas territories, while the delegation's priority needs amount to nearly €11 billion. “Ultimately, it comes down to money: spending the minimum on our territories. The draft budget is a pivotal moment: everything hinges on it. If we don't deliver and without concrete proposals, we'll miss the boat.”
