Chinese delegation visiting Hao atoll in June 2014. (Photo courtesy of Govt of French Polynesia)

Chinese fish farm allowed to be set up in Hao

FRENCH POLYNESIA
Friday, April 13, 2018, 01:30 (GMT + 9)

The French Polynesian government has formally approved the conditions for Tahiti Nui Ocean Foods to set up and operate its aquaculture project on Hao atoll.

The local authorities have given the company a raft of concessions in an effort to encourage foreign investment and job creation, Radio New Zealand reported.

After years of negotiations, the government has agreed to exempt Chinese from any tax for 30 years on the importation of materials and fuel but the investor remains liable for a flat tax of solidarity of 2 per cent on all its imports. 

In addition, the firm has agreed to several other tax holidays for a period of ten years after the project has been completed.

The fish farm is projected to create about 200 jobs for French Polynesians during the construction period after which about 600 permanent jobs are expected to be created.

With the exception of some Chinese technicians, staff are to be recruited locally and be subject to French Polynesian social security provisions and labour laws.

The investment of USD 320 million covers fish cages, storage facilities, accommodation, power and desalination plants and a fleet of boats as well as ships to carry frozen fish to Papeete.

Formed in 2014 as a subsidiary of the Chinese Tian Rui group, the company Tahiti Nui Ocean chose Hao in part because its runway is long enough to accommodate planes which can freight the fish directly to China.

The company plans to build 2,800 cages to farm fish, prawn and sea cucumbers for export, with an annual fish production target of 50,000 tonnes.

Under the deal, French Polynesia will be in charge of building a road around the complex.

 
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