Gathered on January 24th at the Daniella Jeffry vocational high school, business leaders, elected officials, state representatives and stakeholders in social integration participated in traditional entrepreneur’s breakfast, organized by the FIPCOM-MEDEFIn an economic context deemed “sensitive”, this meeting served as a key moment to take stock of the situation and outline common perspectives.
Taxation and collective mobilization
Michel Vogel, president of FIPCOM-MEDEF, opened the discussions by emphasizing the increasing scope of actions undertaken by the employers’ organizationThe debates surrounding the draft finance bills and social security financing have, according to him, demonstrated that “The voice of businesses is heard” when unity prevailsAlongside the FEDOMThe MEDEF mobilized to postpone the planned reductions on the exemptions from chargesA threat estimated at 25 million euros for Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy. A victory, but for how long?
In a video conference, Hervé Mariton, president of FEDOM, confirmed that this mobilization had made it possible toto achieve concrete progressHe mentioned a The government has stated its intention to “change its approach and tone” towards overseas companies., with the prospect of in-depth work on the evolution of the LODEOM and tax relief schemes.
Bruno Blandin said he wasn’t worried “but I am not optimistic”For the president of theUDE MEDEF Guadeloupe, “the The current national situation and the state of France today mean that we must be much more united in Saint-Martin, Guadeloupe and Martinique.”
Saint-Martin, a territory with potential
Alain Richardson, First Vice-President of the Collectivity and President of SEMSAMAR, recalled that Without these tax mechanisms, the local economy could not surviveWith supporting figures, he highlighted the territory’s vulnerabilities: over 5000 job seekers, 2474 young people (aged 15-29) neither employed nor in training, and construction costs up to 20% higher than on neighboring islands. He nevertheless emphasized the efforts undertaken by the Collectivity to to perpetuate and strengthen tax mechanisms, in particular in favour of affordable housing (reduction of the TGCA to 2% for works), agriculture (tax package) and the release of land.
Institutional stability and social climate
MP Frantz Gumbs revisited the national budget procedure and the tensions it generates: “Let’s not deny the difficultiesHe insisted on the unit’s efficiency Overseas territories, which allowed for the full maintenance of certain essential services. For his part, Prefect Cyrille Le Vély argued for a collective work on the image of the territory, recalling that stability and cohesion are essential levers of economic attractiveness.
Youth at the heart of priorities
Another key focus of the morning was the integration of young people. local task presented his work to over 1300 young people supportedcalling on companies to become more involved in professional immersion programs, Apprenticeships and subsidized contracts. The RSMA he, for his part, recalled his role in training young people far from employmentwith a gradual increase in local integration. The antenna will officially permanently established in the area next July, with 4 permanent staff to offer 25 vocational training programs evolving according to the specific characteristics of the territory, including technical trades (bricklayer, tiler, plumber): “Our priority is not to integrate young people into the army but to reintegrate into the local fabric“explains the battalion commander of the RSMA Guadeloupe. For Alain Richardson, it would be good to offer training on the territory to guarantee this local integration.
Several topics were also addressed during the discussions moderated by Sandrine Jabouley: the situation of 68 ninis counted in Saint-Martin (The term “ninis” refers to people who have no identity and therefore no legal existence. “How can we integrate these young people?” food sovereignty and the high cost of living (competition with the Dutch side), the resident rate highly anticipated by Air Caraïbes, whose new regional director, Karen Virapin was present at the event.
All participants, however, converged on the same message: Saint-Martin has no shortage of ideas or talent, but has need for trust, simplification and solidarity to transform its potential into sustainable growth. The work continues.
Michel Vogel decorated with the National Order of Merit
This first breakfast for the Entrepreneur of the Year 2026 took on a special dimension with the presentation of the medal of Knight of the National Order of Merit à Michel vogel, from the hands of the prefect Cyrille Le VélyWelcoming “a man of conviction”whose methodical action and multiple commitments have been decisive for the territory,” the prefect recounted a career of more than thirty years in the service of Saint-MartinA renowned entrepreneur and key figure in institutional, social, and community organizations, Michel Vogel has established himself as a committed leader, working tirelessly for economic development, social cohesion, environmental protection, and the island’s prestige. Well done, Michel!
Source: Faxinfo https://faxinfo.fr/en/societe-fiscalite-emploi-et-jeunesse-les-priorites-economiques-posees-lors-du-petit-dejeuner-de-lentrepreneur/
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