A busy general meeting for Contact-entreprises. The unrest on the fringes of the protests against the high cost of living has given local businesses more than their fair share of challenges. The consequences of the incidents were the focus of Contact-entreprises’ general meeting. But the association remains focused on the future. During the meeting, it welcomed the director of cultural affairs to present a corporate sponsorship program.
Contact-entreprises was unable to make the inroads into the cultural sector it had hoped for, once again due to the social movements at the end of 2024.
«This is a topic that remains essential at a time when the region is searching for its identity—when, amid chaos and pain, we are sometimes forging a Martinican identity—and it’s a good way for us to work together.»
Jean-Yves Bonnaire, The president explained that business leaders in Martinique demonstrated exceptional responsibility and remarkable courage, even though they received little support from politicians.
But the local economy remains shaken by the ripple effects of social movements, including, among other things, the issue of insurance.
70 million euros in damage from which the economy is struggling to recover. On top of this obstacle comes the threat of defection or an increase in insurance premiums.
«This creates difficulties not only for businesses that have suffered damage, but also for new ones looking to get started. Ultimately, everyone is paying a high price for these riots, which have caused significant harm to the region.»
Despite the stigma, the multisectoral association with 320 members has no intention of looking back. «This allows us to remain relevant because we have a wide range of expertise within our ranks. However, we remain a communications body.»
Jean-Yves Bonnaire asserts that culture can be a unifying force and that it can help chart a course for this region. The Contact-entreprises association aims to create meaning that can shed light on Martinique.
«This issue of cultural development has many benefits, and we believe it will be good for the country,»,
«says the president. He continues: »We believe in the benefits of a shared culture.'"
To share this culture, Contact-entreprises invited Johan-Hilel Hamel, Director of Cultural Affairs. He came to present an endowment fund, Matnik’ Convergences, which he does not view as an end in itself but rather as a catalyst—a unique and innovative endowment fund. The DAC, which serves as the regional branch of the Ministry of Culture, allocates 8 million euros annually to a wide range of cultural sectors in Martinique. The initial idea stemmed from the difficulty of financing archaeological projects.
«The goal is to bring together a diverse range of businesses. Many small streams make a big river. The aim is to enable small businesses to contribute to a cultural policy in the region within a secure framework,»,
explains the DAC.
The latter, who took office in January 2025, admits to having a candid view of Martinique.
«I see that there is an exceptional cultural heritage here. There is a lot of artistic vitality in this region. Businesses want to contribute.»
The endowment fund provides a secure framework for governing the relationship between businesses and the government. The fund’s purpose is to finance projects that serve the public interest. There are three possible areas of funding: cultural heritage, support for contemporary artistic creation, and the preservation and restoration of nature, including marine biodiversity.
«It is the companies that are taking charge of this endowment fund, which was created in partnership with the government.»
Laurianne Nomel
