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Tahiti and its islands
French Polynesia is a territory located in the heart of the South Pacific Ocean, nearly 5,000 km from the nearest continent. It regroups 5 archipelagos divided into 118 islands and has around 280,000 inhabitants. French Polynesia is part of the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) within the French Republic. It is constitutionally attached to France but is not part of the customs territory of the European Union. Since the decision of November 25th, 2013, of the association of Overseas Territories with the European Union, French Polynesia has benefited from an advantageous regime which allows it to get access to the European marketing to sell its goods without customs duties.
Economically, tourism is the most important sector of the Polynesian economy. Thanks to its climatic, environmental, and cultural assets, French Polynesia has a good international image and attracts many tourists. Pearl farming is also one of the very important sectors and supports many families in the most distant archipelagos. Pearls represent the most exported product (in value), and its earnings take 50% of the ones generated by all exported goods. Isolated in the middle of the Pacific, French Polynesia has an exclusive maritime zone which allows it to develop a significant maritime economy. Its climate also allows it to produce and cultivate high quality products.
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Polynesian foreign trade is driven by a strong growth in tourism spendings and the export of services. The export of goods is mostly represented by products made by pearls, fishes, noni juice, copra oil and vanilla. For many years, these products have mainly been exported to Hong Kong, the United States, France, Japan and China.
Monoï of Tahiti, honey from Marquesas islands, vanilla from Tahaa, sugar canes from Society Islands, salt from Bora Bora and Rangiroa, fruits and vegetables from the Austral Islands, and the unique pearls from the gambier and Tuamotu archipelago, presented in this catalog are products showing the riches and skills that can be found in French Polynesia.
