~62 euros for infrastructure, development~
Investment opportunities for overseas territories under French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s Plan de Relance (Revival Plan) means the Collectivité of St. Martin is to benefit from a substantial financial package to be used for infrastructure projects, development programmes, and training, during the 2007-2013 operational period, President Frantz Gumbs announced during his New Year’s address on Friday evening.
In addition to 40 per cent financing coming from the State, the package is also co- financed by additional European funds. These include 23M euros from FEDER, 13M euros from FSE, and 26M euros from INTERREG.
The main areas where the money will be spent are on economic development, infrastructure, social affairs and housing, as well as professional training.
The plan for tourism includes upgrading of the hotel sector for 1.2M euros while also studying new concepts for attracting senior vacationers, handicapped tourists, and other lesser-known or commonly used markets. Developing the cruise ship market, water sports, yachting, and the nautical industry in general is currently a priority.
To this end, plans are afoot to upgrade the waterfront and expand Marina Fort Louis to take more mega yachts. The first 5M euro phase of this project begins in 2009. 200,000 euros is set aside for a mooring plan to be implemented in the Simpson Bay Lagoon which will also include the upgrading of Marina Port La Royale.
Craftsmen will also be catered to with the creation of artisan zones in French Quarter, Cul-de-Sac, and Marigot. Financial aid will be available for those wanting to start their own businesses.
Infrastructure projects include 6M euros to be spent on the new school’s production kitchen, 4.5M euros on the restaurants of the Lycee and Colleges, 6M euros on libraries, archive facilities, and media rooms, and 2M euros on the sports facility in Spring, Concordia.
Other projects include 4.5M euros for the Mont des Accords reservoir, 7M euros for drainage, 300,000 euros for upgrading Le Galion road, 300,000 euros for Concordia Road, 600,000 euros for Departmental roads in Marigot and Sandy Ground, 1.4M euros for Rue de Hollande, and 3M euros for infrastructure in the ravines of Spring and Colombier.
Construction of social housing by Semsamar will continue in 2009 with another 50 units planned. Grand Case Airport will continue upgrading with work on security and parking areas, as well as the installation of a public service committee to manage infrastructure development.
The forecasted budget for social affairs, family support, is 13.8M euros. A supplementary grant of 300,000 euros will be assigned to projects developed by associations to help young people secure jobs, develop activities, and specialised departments to cater to young people in difficulties. 200,000 euros will also be allocated to the upgrading of housing and aid for persons seeking ownership of properties.
President Gumbs noted that in December 7M euros had been set aside for education and professional training. However, due to the need for training centres to have their teaching qualifications upgraded, the budget has been increased by another half million euros.