Tonight, at the Medef Martinique headquarters in Dillon, its president, Catherine Rodap, kicked off 2026 with a clear message: businesses held their ground in 2025, but they need stability to keep moving forward. Speaking before members, board members, and institutional partners, she emphasized that running a business in Martinique is not just about managing operations—it requires courage, despite an often uncertain environment.
From her very first words, the president extended her wishes for «health, peace, and serenity» to business leaders and their families, highlighting the quiet yet essential role of those who support entrepreneurs on a daily basis. This opening statement set the tone: human, direct, and focused on the realities on the ground.
A Challenging 2025, but Companies That Weathered the Storm
In her speech, Catherine Rodap makes a blunt observation: 2025 was not an easy year. Businesses have had to contend with inflation, regulatory uncertainty, tax burdens, social tensions, recruitment challenges, and budgetary uncertainties at both the national and European levels. Added to this, she noted, are the structural vulnerabilities specific to the region.
Despite everything, she insists: Business leaders held. They continued to invest, hire, train, and innovate—not just for show, but because, in her view, entrepreneurship is an act of responsibility. She thus affirms that Medef Martinique has stood by businesses throughout this challenging period.
2026: The Need for Visibility and Stability
For 2026, the president of MEDEF Martinique has identified one priority: serenity. She presents it as an essential prerequisite for making decisions, investing, and passing on wealth.
His message is based on three words:
- visibility, so as to act without moving forward “in the dark,”,
- stability, to build on a solid foundation,
- readability, to help companies plan for the future.
She acknowledges the region’s vulnerability and the economic pressures weighing on businesses, particularly the cumulative tax burden and certain government decisions that, in her view, may affect employment and competitiveness. But she is keen to point out: Medef is not a party to the complaint, and rejects “resignation.” Her role, she says, is to speak the truth responsibly.
Youth: “A Moral and Economic Obligation”
Another key focus of the speech concerns the youth of Martinique, presented as a collective priority. Catherine Rodap poses a key question:
«What kind of Martinique do we want for our children?»
She asserts that youth is not just a slogan, but a duty. She calls for better training, better guidance, and above all, for promote work, learning, and work-study programs, in order to create opportunities where some see “nothing but dead ends.” In line with this approach, she reaffirms the role of businesses and announces that Medef will continue to serve as a bridge between schools, training, and employment.
Defending businesses means defending jobs and social cohesion
The president also reiterates an idea that she believes is too often overlooked: A company is not just an economic actor; it is also a place that fosters social connections. Behind every business, she highlights employees, families, life stories, and thriving communities.
His message is clear: defending the company does not mean defending special interests. It means defending employment, dignity through work, and social cohesion.
Acknowledgments to Partners and a Call for Cooperation
Catherine Rodap praised the institutional partners and stakeholders in employment and social integration with whom Medef Martinique works: the prefecture, France Travail, ADIE, RSMA, the SMA Excellence Foundation, Agefiph, the Regional Education Office, as well as the elected representatives from the employers’ panel of the Fort-de-France Labor Court, specifically mentioning the vice president Valérie Pavius.
She reaffirms MEDEF’s commitment to continuing the dialogue with all stakeholders in 2026 and to remaining a forum for “rigorous” discussion that is useful to entrepreneurs.
«Business is part of the solution»
In conclusion, the president delivers a message of confidence and courage, with a strong conviction: the company is not a problem to be solved, nor a subject to be exploited. It is “part of the solution.”.
Looking ahead to 2026, Catherine Rodap calls for moving forward together, even if we don’t all see eye to eye. In her view, Medef Martinique must remain a pillar of support, serving entrepreneurs and the region.
“Have a wonderful and happy New Year,” she concluded, to a round of applause.
Philippe Pied
