President Gibbs in Paris for the reconstruction of SXM!

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The President of the community went to Paris the last week of January, to continue negotiating with the government on aid for the reconstruction of Saint-Martin.

Accompanied by the Director of Tourism, Stéphanie Bessière, the President Daniel Gibbs was first received in the ministries, in order to present the tourism development strategy 2017-2027, validated by the territorial council, last November. The President was thus able to present the challenges of tourism development and the needs of Saint-Martin to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Minister of Overseas and Atout France, the main operator in the promotion of French territory. The President was also accompanied by two hoteliers from the place whom he had invited to the discussions on the problems and urgent needs in the field of hotel reconstruction.

Tuesday January 23, the meeting with the Minister of Sports, Laura Flessel, was constructive since the latter announced financial support to the community for the reconstruction of sports infrastructure. The community wished to focus its first efforts on the stadiums of Sandy-Ground, Quartier d'Orléans and Marigot. In addition to the funds already available under the National Center for the Development of Sport (CNDS) and the donation from the French Football Federation (FFF), the Minister announced an additional envelope of 500 euros earmarked by the Ministry for the reconstruction of facilities sports. The Minister also announced the provision to the community of an agent from the Sports Department. Laura Flessel also supports the project of Center of Excellence for Sport carried by the community and its President, in particular through the help of the UCPA training center which can provide logistical assistance to the community and to partner associations, in the preparation of the project.

Wednesday 24 January, President Gibbs went to Bry-sur-Marne, where he met the mayor, Jean-Pierre Spilbauer to redefine the twinning agreement. Youth, at the heart of the public policies of the two communities, is the common thread of this new convention project, highlighting sports, linguistic and cultural exchanges between schools and young people in both territories. This agreement will be the subject of an annual action plan, which will be prepared before the summer for implementation in September.

The President wanted to thank the elected officials and the population of Bry sur Marne for their mobilization after Irma. The city provided logistical support to the Maison de Saint-Martin on the management of donations and grants to the community. During his vows, the mayor of Bry announced that his municipality had marked the sum of 85 euros on the reconstruction of Saint-Martin schools.

Thursday January 25, the President went to Brussels to meet European Commissioner Corina Crétu. The Commissioner must defend Saint-Martin, during her next meeting with Minister Mézard, in charge of Territorial Cohesion. It was therefore for President Gibbs to take stock of the European envelopes available. 49 million euros are planned on the reconstruction axis, for hurricanes Irma and Maria, the distribution between Guadeloupe and Saint-Martin will be in proportion to the damage (about 46 million for Saint-Martin).

Tuesday January 30, the President met the Head of State in the presence of the Minister of Overseas, Annick Girardin, to take stock of the persistent problems in Saint-Martin, the advances and the priorities in reconstruction.

The President also recalled the financial challenges of rebuilding public infrastructure (roads, school and administrative buildings, network installations). President Macron was made aware of the need to speed up the reconstruction of public and especially school buildings. The President of the community reaffirmed that he did not want a discount back to school for the students of Saint-Martin.

By March 1, President Macron has pledged that insurance payments, which are abnormally low, will be accelerated. We are currently only at 20% disbursement, or 200 million on a billion euros, four months after Irma (12% for hotels), this situation is "unacceptable", commented Emmanuel Macron.

The President of the Republic heard the request of the President of the Collectivity to secure aid from the European Union Solidarity Fund (FSUE), around 46 million euros earmarked for Saint Martin, in order to reimburse the expenses of 'emergency, including clearing.

The PPI and catch-up is being developed, it will be finalized at the beginning of March and presented in broad outline, during the interministerial meeting of March 12, 2018. The Collectivity will be able to benefit from the credits of the Great Investment Plan, in particular to accelerate the ecological transition. Public establishments in the community and local businesses will also benefit from the support of Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations.

The need to improve the statistical system was also recalled during this interview; solutions will be found with the government. President Macron has also declared himself in favor of carrying out structuring projects to improve the tourist offer and optimize the tax exemption system (notably on hotel demolition and renovation).

Finally, the President of the Republic stressed the relevance of President Gibbs' initiative regarding the dematerialization of emergency aid (Cohesia prepaid card). This experience is intended to be generalized at the RSA level, in parallel with the renationalisation of this service.

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