The main objective of the Committee is to improve the quality of black pearls from French Polynesia, a major export product for the Territory. In recent months, the territorial government has taken measures to prevent low-quality pearls sold at cheap prices from entering the market, imposing stricter quality controls.

These decisions led to a significant drop in prices at the international auctions held in Papeete. To better regulate the sector, a systematic census of all producers was launched in November 2001, with completion scheduled for June 2003. Given that French Polynesia covers an area comparable to that of Europe, this is a considerable undertaking.

Among the measures announced is the issuance of a professional identity card to producers who have completed mandatory training workshops. The Committee now has the authority to recommend the granting and renewal of this card, as well as to impose disciplinary sanctions in case of violations of local regulations.

Chaired by the President of French Polynesia, Gaston Flosse, who also oversees the administration of the pearl farming sector, the Committee brings together representatives of the local government and the pearl industry.

During a visit to China in October 2002, Mr. Flosse obtained a reduction of the import tax on Tahitian black pearls from 24% to 10%, by securing “most favored nation” status for French Polynesia.

The pearl industry currently represents nearly 7,000 jobs in Tahiti, spread over about 1,000 pearl farms throughout the archipelago. After record growth in 1998 and 1999 (+23% in revenue), the sector experienced a slowdown in 2000. Today, Tahiti produces nearly a quarter of the world’s cultured black pearls.