Papeete (French Polynesia): reconciling economic recovery and environmental protection

Papeete is on the island of Tahiti, in French Polynesia. With the local economy reeling from the impact of the Covid-19 crisis, the port unveiled a support package for Polynesian businesses on 17 June. The €4 million euro package covers the maritime industry, tourism and inter-island transport. But it also represents an opportunity to adopt a more sustainable approach to development, and that’s why AIVP was keen to talk to Jean-Paul Le Caill, CEO of Port Autonome de Papeete. The Port autonome of Papeete is AIVP member since 2013. AIVP - You have announced a package of support measures for the local economy, and the port in particular. There are around 200 businesses in the port community, on which around 5,000 jobs depend either directly or indirectly. So protecting jobs necessarily means supporting the port cluster. A number of other vital activities for the town of Papeete are also dependent on the port, such as the cruise industry with its 1.7 million passengers every year. (n.b. According to the PF Statistics Institute, there are 40 to 45k cruise passengers annually. Whereas 1.5 to 1.8 million passengers a year pass through Papeete’s ferry terminal, used by the shuttle boats that operate between Tahiti and Moorea). What was Papeete’s experience of the pandemic, and how has it affected the port and the town? Jean-Paul Le Caill, CEO of the Port autonome of Papeete - As the capital of French Polynesia, Papeete is home to all of the political institutions (the Parliament of French Polynesia, the Government, the High Commission of the Republic in French Polynesia which represents the State, and the Economic, Social, Environmental and Cultural Council of French Polynesia). Papeete is an administrative centre that is also home to the majority of French Polynesia’s economic and industrial infrastructures, including three main sectors, all located on the outskirts of the town: the industrial zone of Tipaerui, another in Titioro, and the port zone, which is the largest and includes Port Autonome de Papeete. In addition, the town of Papeete is a major educational centre in Polynesia, with more than 20 infants’ and primary schools (public and private), six middle schools, two high schools, a private university and training centres. With 190,000 inhabitants, the island of Tahiti is the equivalent of a medium-sized French town. The capital has 27,000 residents, but every day its population is multiplied by five. Even part of the population of Moorea, the sister island located 15 km from Tahiti, takes the shuttle boat to Papeete every day. The general lockdown ordered on 21 March 2020 suddenly shut down all activity in the town, with the closure of most shops, restaurants, cinemas, bars, etc., along with schools, businesses, public parks, and so on. In April, at the height of the crisis, 85% of businesses had almost no activity, and nine out of ten companies in the tourist sector saw their revenue fall by at least 75%. With the exception of supermarkets, all businesses experienced a severe deterioration in cash flow in April and May. The cruise sector was worst affected, with all activity shutting down immediately. While the lockdown was introduced on 21 March 2020, the sector had actually ceased all operations as early as 11 March, with current cruises…