MARIGOT/PHILIPSBURG:--- The Collectivité of Saint-Martin is intensifying its efforts to strengthen its economic and political ties within the Caribbean after President Louis Mussington and First Vice-President Alain Richardson represented the island at the 18th Conference on Regional Cooperation of the French West Indies and Guiana (CCRAG), held in Martinique from July 1 to 3.
The high-level conference, organized by the French State, brought together Caribbean leaders, regional organizations, and French officials to address common challenges affecting the region, including economic uncertainty, transportation, healthcare, environmental threats, and security.
Speaking before France's Minister for Overseas Territories Naima Moutchou, Martinique President Serge Letchimy, and regional delegates, President Mussington stressed that cooperation between Caribbean territories often advances through practical action before legal frameworks are established.
He noted that Saint-Martin's unique geopolitical position, both European and Caribbean, requires innovative approaches to better integrate the island economically with its neighboring territories. He also emphasized that greater participation in regional institutions and programs, such as Interreg Caribbean, is essential to expanding Saint-Martin's opportunities for growth and cooperation.
One of the major concerns highlighted by Mussington was the region's transportation and connectivity challenges.
He argued that improving inter-Caribbean connectivity remains one of the most important prerequisites for sustainable economic development. Improved air and sea connections would facilitate the movement of both people and goods, strengthening regional trade and commercial exchanges.
The president also identified several pressing issues confronting Caribbean nations, including the widespread invasion of sargassum seaweed, healthcare challenges, and employment opportunities. During discussions on sargassum, delegates concluded that the environmental crisis requires coordinated international political, scientific, and economic governance rather than isolated national responses.
A significant contribution from Saint-Martin during the conference was the organization of a specialized workshop dedicated to Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI) and Regional Cooperation, led by First Vice-President Alain Richardson.
The workshop examined how investment in culture, film, arts, and other creative sectors can become a powerful economic engine throughout the Caribbean.
Delegates noted that in several Caribbean economies the creative sector already plays a substantial economic role. Arts and culture account for approximately 6.4 percent of Gross Domestic Product in both Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, while the film industry alone generates an estimated US$210 million annually, demonstrating the sector's capacity to create employment, stimulate investment, and diversify regional economies.
The discussions brought together representatives from the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Business France, the Chambers of Commerce of Guyana and Martinique, regional development agencies, and Saint-Martin film producer Joël Ayuk, who explored opportunities to better organize and strengthen the Caribbean's creative industries.
Richardson emphasized that cultural and creative industries should be viewed not only as artistic endeavors but also as strategic economic tools that can strengthen tourism, create employment, and expand Saint-Martin's regional influence.
At the conclusion of the workshop, Richardson presented a summary document containing practical recommendations directly to Overseas Minister Naima Moutchou for consideration by the French Government.
Beyond economic cooperation, France also convened a regional security conference alongside the CCRAG, bringing together Caribbean governments to discuss common security challenges. The outcomes of those discussions were later integrated into the main conference, reinforcing the importance of deeper cooperation between French Caribbean territories, neighboring Caribbean states, France, and the European Union.
Closing the conference, Minister Naima Moutchou pledged that the French Government would actively follow up on the recommendations emerging from the three-day meeting. She committed to ensuring that concrete measures would be developed based on the conference's conclusions, and reiterated that the creative and cultural industries are among the Caribbean's most promising sectors for generating jobs, economic growth, and regional influence.