1. Could you introduce the Economic Development Agency and explain its mission in driving economic diversification, competitiveness, and sustainable growth across French Polynesia?
The Economic Development Agency (ADE) is a public institution under the supervision of the Ministry of Economy and Finance of French Polynesia. Its main mission is to support project leaders and investors, both local and international, in implementing their initiatives throughout the territory.
The ADE acts as a one-stop shop for investors, facilitating dialogue between the public and private sectors. It provides support with administrative procedures and gives access to regulatory frameworks, economic data, incentive schemes, and information on priority sectors and public policies. For example, an investor based in the United States can rely on the ADE to obtain all the necessary information and be put in touch with local technical and institutional partners to secure the implementation of their project in Polynesia.
In addition, the ADE is responsible for coordinating and implementing CAP 2033, French Polynesia's ten-year economic development strategy, launched in 2023. This roadmap identifies four priority sectors, tourism, primary industries, digital and audiovisual industries, and energy, that are expected to play a leading role in economic diversification.
Ultimately, our objective is to foster sustainable and inclusive growth, create employment opportunities, and ensure that economic benefits are equitably distributed across all archipelagos within a maritime exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as large as Europe.
2. French Polynesia has historically relied heavily on tourism. What specific steps are being taken to reduce dependence and build a more diversified and resilient economic model?
Tourism remains the backbone of our economy and will continue to play a central role. Our ambition is to welcome 450,000 visitors per year by 2033, with an approach based on quality rather than mass tourism. This strategy is based on the development of high-end hotels, guesthouses, and cruise tourism, while preserving the environment and cultural identity that make French Polynesia a unique destination in the world.
However, diversification is essential to our long-term resilience. The blue economy is one of our main drivers. French Polynesia administers a vast maritime area, Te Tai Nui a Tea, covering nearly 5 million square kilometers, of which more than 1 million square kilometers have been classified as a marine protected area since 2025.
Our fishing industry is strictly regulated and based on principles of sustainability. Longline fishing is permitted, while purse seine fishing and shark fishing are prohibited. Our goal is to achieve an annual production of between 10,000 and 12,000 tons, in order to increase the value of our exports while respecting marine ecosystems. Polynesian fisheries are certified by the MSC label.
Aquaculture is also an important area of development. A biomarine zone is currently being set up in southern Tahiti to develop shrimp and fish farming. Our endemic shrimp species is highly resilient, and production is now focused primarily on local food self-sufficiency rather than export.
Pearl farming is another major export sector. The black pearl of Tahiti is our leading export product, particularly to Asian markets such as Hong Kong and Japan. However, climate change is affecting mother-of-pearl production, leading us to invest in the development of hatcheries to secure the future of the industry.
At the same time, we are strengthening agriculture and livestock farming to improve our food sovereignty. Digital industries, biotechnology, and green and blue technologies also offer strong growth prospects, as does audiovisual production, driven by the global reputation of Polynesian landscapes.
Finally, the energy transition is a central pillar of our strategy. Although electricity production still relies heavily on imported fossil fuels, our goal is to reach 75% renewable energy by 2030, notably through the development of solar and hydroelectric power.
3. The blue economy represents a major opportunity for island nations. How is ADE supporting marine resources, sustainable fisheries, and ocean-based innovation?
Support mechanisms exist both at the level of French Polynesia and at the level of the French State. The ADE assists project leaders with administrative procedures and ensures that initiatives are consistent with sectoral public policies.
We also benefit from the support of the French State through national tax measures and innovation funding, notably the France 2030 program. Investments in infrastructure and sector-specific intervention mechanisms are being deployed to ensure the sustainable development of these activities.
Each strategic sector of the blue economy is thus supported by appropriate public policy tools, aimed at reconciling economic development with the preservation of marine ecosystems.
4. Renewable energy, agriculture, digital services, and creative industries are emerging pillars of growth. Which sectors show the strongest potential over the next decade?
The digital sector is currently experiencing particularly strong growth. Several Polynesian start-ups have won national innovation awards and are gaining visibility across the Pacific.
Renewable energies also offer strong potential. A prime example is SWAC (Sea Water Air Conditioning), an air conditioning technology that uses cold water from the deep sea. It is already being used in large hotels and at the hospital in Tahiti, resulting in significant energy savings. This solution can be exported to other territories with similar geographical conditions.
The creative industries are another promising area for development. Polynesian dance is enjoying remarkable success in Japan, while va'a, or outrigger canoeing, is practiced internationally, particularly in Brazil and the United States. Polynesian canoes are now being exported, reflecting growing interest worldwide.
Traditional crafts, such as hats made from natural fibers or tapa, also offer strong potential for added value, at the crossroads of agriculture, culture, and artistic creation.
5. What financial tools or initiatives does ADE provide for SMEs, startups, and entrepreneurs?
The ADE offers a wide range of tools to support the development of local and foreign businesses, tailored to their level of development.
Small and medium-sized enterprises, for example, can benefit from business incubation and support services.
In addition, significant financial and tax incentives exist in priority sectors. The ADE evaluates projects to ensure they are in line with public policy guidelines and can issue opinions allowing access to local or national tax exemptions. For example, tax exemption schemes can be used to help finance hotels, fishing or transport vessels, aircraft, etc.
Our role is primarily one of strategic coordination, aimed at ensuring the consistency of the schemes and facilitating access to existing mechanisms for project leaders.
6. How does ADE create a responsible investment framework balancing economic opportunity with environmental and social standards?
As a French overseas territory, French Polynesia operates within France's legal and financial framework, guaranteeing stability, transparency, and security for investors. Our currency, the Pacific franc, is pegged to the euro, ensuring monetary stability.
Urban planning documents, environmental standards, and the recently adopted climate plan set clear commitments to sustainability. Investment aid schemes incorporate environmental and job creation criteria.
Our vision of economic development is based on preserving the environment, cultural heritage, and Polynesian identity. It is therefore important that projects led by foreign and local investors incorporate these values, which are essential to the harmonious development of our country.
For us, protecting the environment is an essential condition for sustainable and inclusive growth.
7. How is ADE advancing digital infrastructure and workforce skills?
Digital connectivity is a strategic priority. Due to our geographical location in the heart of the Pacific, digital infrastructure plays a key role in reducing isolation. Telecommunications networks and internet access are gradually being extended to all archipelagos.
This connectivity not only supports tourism and fishing, but also daily life in remote islands, where digital access is essential for reservations, logistics, education, and communications.
Our time zone is also an asset for “follow-the-sun” digital services. The deployment of new international submarine cables, particularly with the support of global operators, is significantly increasing bandwidth capacity and enhancing French Polynesia's attractiveness for remote digital services and professionals in the sector seeking a high quality of life.
8. Sustainability is central to Polynesia’s identity. How is climate alignment integrated into long-term economic planning?
Climate resilience is a fundamental concern. French Polynesia is among the regions most exposed to climate change, facing challenges such as coral bleaching and disruptions to pearl farming.
At the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, our President announced the expansion of our protected marine area, now one of the five largest in the world.
We are also developing a structured social and solidarity economy to promote inclusive growth. This approach supports associations and enterprises that reduce social inequalities, protect the environment, and create dignified employment across all archipelagos.
9. What strategic partnerships are being developed with the United States and Asia-Pacific partners?
The United States is our leading tourism market, supported by targeted promotion and strong air connectivity. We also maintain long-standing economic ties with Japan, particularly in the pearl industry.
In research and innovation, we collaborate internationally with institutions such as IFREMER and the University of California, Berkeley through its Gump Research Station in Moorea.
Our ambition is to deepen technological, scientific, and economic exchanges with Pacific neighbors, Europe, and North America to strengthen local expertise and innovation capacity.
10. Looking ahead to 2035 and beyond, what is your long-term vision for French Polynesia?
Our ambition is to build a peaceful economy that is more autonomous, more resilient, and fully connected to the world. We favor controlled growth based on quality rather than quantity, while preserving our environment and generating shared prosperity.
High-end, sustainable tourism will remain a pillar of our economy, alongside the development of blue, digital, agricultural, and renewable energy sectors.
To the readers of the Los Angeles Times, we would like to send a clear message: French Polynesia is much more than an exceptional destination. It is a territory that is actively shaping an economic model in line with the major challenges of our time, climate transition, digital transformation, and sustainable development.
We welcome investors and partners who share our values of respect for the environment, cultural recognition, and inclusive growth. The ADE is fully committed to supporting them at every stage of their project in French Polynesia.
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