Economic actors meet in Corsica

A group of around twenty economic and institutional actors met on Wednesday, October 14, at the Cité Grossetti in Ajaccio, to discuss the future of the maritime sector. The gathering aimed to tackle challenges faced by companies and projects struggling to find the right partners.

Local authority partners with maritime network

The CAPA, a local authority in Corsica, is seeking to strengthen its collaboration with the Pôle Mer Méditerranée, a maritime innovation network that also held a meeting at the same venue. The Pôle Mer Méditerranée includes around 500 members working in areas like nautical activities, cruise tourism, fishing, marine biodiversity, and ship decarbonization.

CAPA's role in supporting maritime projects

The CAPA will not directly fund projects with the Pôle Mer. Instead, it will act as a facilitator, potentially organizing regular sessions one to two times a year at the Maison de l'Entreprise (M3E) in Ajaccio. These sessions would help entrepreneurs present their projects, receive advice, and connect with potential partners or investors seeking private funding.

CAPA vice-president emphasizes maritime potential

Christelle Combette, vice-president of the CAPA responsible for economic development and innovation, stated that the sea is central to the region's identity and must be viewed as an independent economic driver. After three years of collaboration, the local authority now aims to make this partnership more concrete and focused on leveraging maritime opportunities.

New representative to facilitate collaboration

Pierre Seguin, the new territorial representative of the Pôle Mer Méditerranée for Corsica, will oversee the collaboration between the CAPA and the Pôle Mer. Seguin emphasized that the partnership is not just about networking but also about supporting the growth of existing maritime activities and addressing local challenges such as electrification and pollution reduction in Ajaccio port.

Addressing employment and talent retention

Seguin highlighted the importance of retaining qualified labor in Corsica, noting that the opening of an engineering school in Ajaccio presents an opportunity to keep local talent from leaving the region. He added that companies must recognize the availability of skilled workers in the area.

Other developments in Corsica

Separate reports mentioned other incidents in Corsica, including a fire in Prunelli-di-Fiumorbu that injured two people, a fire in Ghisonaccia that destroyed 1.5 hectares of land, and a diving accident in Olmeta-di-Capocorso that resulted in the death of a 61-year-old man. Meanwhile, the 14th edition of the Chocolate Fair in Bastia has begun.