Focus on Planned Government Reforms

Bernard Picardo, President of the Chamber of Trades and Crafts (CMAR), presented a review of the past year this Thursday while unveiling ambitions for 2025. Among the flagship projects is the organization of the first Craft Fair in Bras-Panon.

The press conference was held at the premises of Futur 3D, a company specializing in 3D printing. This setting provided an opportunity to discuss the challenges facing the artisanal sector in Réunion. The year 2024 was particularly tough for the local economy, heavily impacted by global events. « Every international, national, or regional crisis has had direct repercussions on our territory, » emphasized Bernard Picardo.

Artisans have been affected by the energy crisis and uncertainty surrounding the LODEOM (Law on Economic Development for Overseas Territories). At the same time, rising energy costs have exacerbated difficulties. For 2025, the government is planning major reforms, particularly in vocational training. The CMAR president warned about the consequences of reduced subsidies for apprentices, decreasing from 6 000 EUR to 5 000 EUR per contract. « This reduction directly threatens local employment, particularly for small businesses and SMEs, » he cautioned.

The CMAR is advocating for the continued application of an increased contractual cost in the Overseas Territories, a measure included in the CIOM (Interministerial Council for Overseas Territories). According to the CMAR Observatory, the economic fabric appears to be stabilizing despite an increase in business failures, a trend that experts consider cyclical. In response to these challenges, the CMAR is committed to strengthening its ties with artisans and supporting their resilience in the face of economic shifts.