Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne announced on Tuesday an inventory of very varied measures aimed at improving daily life in the French overseas territories, in particular the purchasing power of their population.
Taxation, water, education, disability, housing… following an Interministerial Overseas Committee (CIOM), the head of government presented a plan of 70 measures.
We want our overseas compatriots to live better, and to see changes, quickly, she declared to the press in the presence of several of her ministers.
The most sensitive issues – institutions, immigration and security – were not addressed during this meeting.
Among the decisions announced, a future in-depth reform of dock dues, tariff protection on products imported into overseas territories.
Dock dues contribute to dear life overseas, said Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire, who promised that the reform of this system would be fully adopted and implemented by 2027 at the latest.
The cost of living is higher overseas than in France, particularly because of food prices, according to a recent INSEE study.
Elisabeth Borne also announced 2.3 billion euros in investments over four years (2024-2027) for infrastructure and public services, compared to 1.8 billion between 2019 and 2022.
These investments will be used primarily to finance water and sanitation networks, transport infrastructure and schools, according to the Prime Minister, access to water being, in several overseas communities, hampered by the obsolescence networks.
The decree freezing the prices of bottled water Mayotte, eagerly awaited on the Indian Ocean island in the grip of a water crisis, will be published tomorrow Wednesday, she announced, also promising to relaunch the development of a specific Mayotte bill.
A catch-up plan, of 150 million euros over four years, will be initiated for the medico-social support of disabled people, she added.
The government has also undertaken to increase student scholarships overseas, by 30 euros per month, and that more ultramarines – 3 out of 4 – become eligible for aid for territorial continuity, which allows them to benefit from plane tickets reduced.
Measures welcomed with caution by some elected representatives from overseas, such as the PS senator from Guadeloupe Victorin Lurel, who is counting on parliamentary work to improve them.
With these 72 proposals, this CIOM could be expected as the beginning of a change of method. At this stage it does not meet this ambition, he regretted.
The deputy (Liot) of Guadeloupe Olivier Serva retained for his part an attempt at consultation, beyond the executives.
The reform of the dock dues will contribute to lowering the cost of living in the overseas territories (…) Obviously we will be vigilant on the repercussions of this reform for the finances of the municipalities and the protection of local production, underlined the president (LR) of the Departmental Council of Reunion, Cyril Melchior.
Many expectations remain largely unmet and nothing strong is proposed to stop the social divide and reduce inequalities, lamented Philippe Naillet, PS deputy for Saint-Denis de la Runion.