After a record year in 2023 for tourism, 2024 promises to be just as bright. Enough to strengthen the job market, particularly boosted this year by the Olympic Games. But the fervor of the event and its economic benefits for fenua did not eclipse the cost of living.
« What we see is that our salaries, our purchasing power, are decreasing day by day. And then they don't seem to realize it. You see the prices of land, food, and then they tell us that they have stopped inflation », sighed the general secretary of the CSTP/FO, Patrick Galenon, in April.
In this context, the Council of Ministers increased the minimum wage by 2.38% from May 1, bringing it to 1,024.74 francs per hour. Beyond inflation, it is the PSG which has been at the center of concerns since the abolition of social VAT at the end of 2023.
“It’s a major subject since PSG essentially involves retirement and illness for us, as employees. If, unfortunately, we do not find the famous social tax which brought in 9 billion to the CPS, contributions will have to be increased. And you can imagine that if we increase contributions, employees and businesses will not be very happy,” Patrick Galenon further underlined.
We had to wait until the end of the year to have the first announcements of the reform of the PSG. Starting with the removal of the principle of primacy from the General Employee Scheme. Enough to recover nearly three billion francs in social security contributions.
2024 was also marked by a change of boss at Medef. The only candidate in the running, Steeve Hamblin succeeded Frédéric Dock at the helm of an organization more than ever scalded by tax law.
The numerous reluctances of economic actors towards the Minister of the Economy, Tevaiti Pomare, also got the better of him. He was replaced at the end of August by his technical advisor: Warren Dexter. Its mission: to reconcile employers with the government.
« We know he is a competent person. We'll get to work and meet. We'll see how he communicates. We are ready to work with him », Explained the president of the CPME, Christophe Plée, shortly after the appointment of the new minister.
The arrival of Warren Dexter was followed by a series of announcements on taxation such as the increase in VAT on sugar, the reduction in real estate purchase costs, a tax on international travelers and even an overhaul of taxes hotel companies.
2024 was also the year of inaugurations: that of the Hitia'a gas terminal, or the 4 solar farms on the Presqu'île, supported by the Siu and Moux groups and the Ito Nui company of the Engie group.
In total, nearly 60,000 solar panels should make it possible to increase the production of green energy in fenua by 5%.
“We can do coactivity and produce renewable energy. It’s a real legacy that we want to leave to future generations so that they can be inspired by it and continue in the same principle,” indicated Gérard Siu, president of SAS Mahana O’Hiupe.
Despite the surge in tourism, airlines have had a troubled time. Air Tahiti Nui has suffered 10 billion francs in cumulative losses since 2022. At the head of ATN for more than 10 years, Michel Monvoisin was dismissed by the country, the majority shareholder.
Turbulence also on the local market, where the two domestic companies engaged in a merciless price war. Air Tahiti announced the launch of a first class, positioning itself on the core target of its competitor, Air Moana.
Once in great financial difficulty, the young company finally obtained the support of the Country and new shareholders. She immediately announced the arrival of Lionel Guérin as CEO. An aviation leader whose mission is to make the company profitable by 2026.
