Visit of the Minister of Overseas Territories Marie Guevenoux

The visit of the Minister for Overseas Territories, Marie Guévenoux, as part of the Antilles-Guyana Regional Cooperation Conference (CCRAG), organized for the first time in Saint-Martin, took place in 5 key moments:

The opening of the CCRAG, Tuesday, April 23, at the Secrets Resort hotel in Anse Marcel, in the presence of the executives of the Antilles-Guyana, was the occasion to sign a joint policy declaration of the Antilles-Guyana zone in the Caribbean basin and the Guiana Plateau. The declaration signed by the respective executives reaffirms the shared desire of the State and the French communities (Antilles-Guyana) to strengthen their cooperation in terms of external relations in the Caribbean and Amazon zone in order to promote the values of France, promote the overseas territories and strengthen regional integration.

The following morning, the executives, parliamentarians, ambassadors and prefects of the Antilles and Guyana met alongside the minister for breakfast at Anse Marcel, the aim of which was an informal exchange on joint issues.

The ministerial visit continued at the Hôtel de la Collectivité in Marigot, in the form of a bilateral meeting bringing together President Louis Mussington, his 4 vice-presidents and the senator of Saint-Martin, followed by a meeting with all the territorial elected officials, at the end of which the CCT 2024-2027 was signed.

This convergence and transformation contract is a flagship document of the development policy of the Collectivité of Saint-Martin, for the next 4 years. It commits the State and the Collectivité to jointly implement development projects, with financial contributions contractualized by both parties amounting to €43,500,000 for the State and €71,423,515 for the Collectivité.

Among the main projects identified in the CCT:

· The reconstruction of the youth and culture centres (MJC) of Quartier d'Orléans, Grand Case and Sandy Ground for an amount of €10 million

· Rehabilitation of heritage sites and facilities: €9.1M

· The reconstruction of the Albéric Richards stadium: €18.3 million

· The reconstruction of college 600 in Quartier d'Orléans: €24.6M

· Development of Savane: RN7 road and 900 college: €18.5M

· Redevelopment of public spaces in Marigot, Spring Concordia and Agrément: €8M

· Deployment of very high speed broadband (Tintamarre project) – phase 2: €7.2M

· “Chevrise” solidarity land operation: €6M

· Work on drinking water and wastewater infrastructure: €7M

· Rehabilitation of the media library (including a cyclone shelter): €11M

As a new feature, the development of culture has been integrated into the CCT, with the financing of dedicated infrastructures; a strong desire of President Mussington and his team, and a need heard by the State.

President Louis Mussington expressed satisfaction with the discussions during this official visit. He also welcomed the support of the State, in particular the Minister for Overseas Territories, who has undertaken to support Saint-Martin on the issue of land, in particular by extending the mission of the National Urban Renewal Agency (ANRU), in order to make progress on the issues of joint ownership and succession.

The minister also highlighted the State's desire to support the creation of a public interest group (GIP) in Saint-Martin, to support families leaving joint ownership, and to establish or reconstitute property titles that are the cause of inheritance difficulties. The National Housing Agency (ANAH) will also be called upon to identify housing rehabilitation needs.

Regarding the airline Air Antilles, which is awaiting its operating license, the Minister indicated that the issuance of the Air Transport Certificate (CTA) was on track. The State is also committed to intervening and supporting the demand for the manufacture of spare parts, which are sorely lacking in French airlines.

The rehabilitation of drinking water production and distribution infrastructure was also the subject of a discussion with the minister, who clearly identified the issues and requested a detailed file on the action plan and the financing identified by the Collectivité and its water and sanitation establishment (EEASM).

President Louis Mussington has requested state aid in view of the urgent need to size the production plant to reach a capacity of 14,000 m3/day compared to 6,000 m3 currently, and to renovate the obsolete distribution networks. Project included in the 2024 budget.

Minister Marie Guévenoux highlighted the tenacity of President Louis Mussington, who obtained 10 measures for Saint-Martin, or 10% of the measures, within the framework of the Interministerial Overseas Committee (CIOM), which should meet again next autumn.

The minister concluded her official trip to Saint-Martin with a visit to the construction site of the future Collège 900 de la Savane, in which the State is contributing financially, before taking the coastguard shuttle to Saint-Barthélemy.