Progress update on the use of European funds

The 2nd Vice-President in charge of Economic Development, Mr. Yawo NYUIADZI, received on Wednesday May 22 and Thursday May 23, 2019, a delegation from the European Commission led by Mr. Xavier GODARD, who came to provide an update on the use of European funds in Saint-Martin.

This visit was indeed intended to take stock of the progress of the implementation of the operational program of European funds in Saint-Martin and to #39;to discuss future prospects.

Vice-President Nyuiadzi recalled the support effort initiated by the Community for the reconstruction of the territory with the support of European funds. Europe has, in fact, dedicated €7M to the rehabilitation of tourist accommodation thanks to the FEDER. A promotional program will soon be launched in anticipation of the new tourist season in order to support tourist establishments in their promotion. An amount of €3M has been allocated to this overall operation.

 

The ERDF also supports the following projects:

- The reconstruction of the college of the Orléans district (more than €9M of work),

- The reconstruction and creation of wastewater treatment stations,

- The creation of a landing point for fishing,

- Work on the road network.

 

Regarding support of ESF funds, a credit of 4 million euros is mobilized in 2019 on axes 5 and 7 to co-finance:

- The 27 training actions of the Territorial Professional Training Plan,

- The renewal of mobility assistance schemes for students,

- Holiday employment schemes to bring young people closer to the world of business,

- Post-baccalaureate training courses open to the territory.

The FEADER supports project leaders in the field of agriculture through the Local Action Group (GAL); 60 grant requests were submitted, for a forecast amount of nearly 2.4 million euros of eligible expenses.

Under the FSUE (exceptional fund dedicated to reconstruction), €46 million are allocated to the territory for emergency and restoration operations necessary to secure populations and return to normal operation of public services. €20M of eligible expenses have already been reported to State services, knowing that the Community has a drawing right open until August 31, 2019, a period far too short to be able to use all the funds available. So far, the FSUE has made it possible to finance the reconstruction of school buildings, the cleaning of the territory and the clearance of large bulky items, as well as the rehabilitation of the networks.

The delegation's trip was punctuated by a field visit to the strategic sites of the reconstruction undertaken with the support of Europe. The delegation visited BTS SP3S and BTS Tourism students at GRETA in Saint-Martin; she then went to Quartier d'Orléans to visit the new Organica wastewater treatment plant, then to Grand Case to visit the new hangars at L'Espérance airport.