Between its missions of general interest to promote economic development and its services to companies, The regional economic development agency (ex-Nexa) reappear its action by aiming for efficiency. Its new managing director, Gilbert Manciet, revives the support and development of projects at the service of the local economy, experience acquired when he was sub-prefect for recovery during the Covid crisis.
Nexa is now called La Réunion Développement. Behind this new name, what is changing in the agency’s action ?
This name change reflects the will of the new governance – the president, the board of directors and the general director – to be fully part of the new economy deployed by the regional council. This comes at two levels. Firstly, La Réunion Développement carries the brand “La Réunion” in its DNA by very clearly setting out its ambitions for the economic development of the Réunion region.. On the other hand, the SEM company also aims to carry this label internationally. This is reflected in the orientation of its main missions around internationalization, support for priority sectors of the regional economic development plan and finally the implementation of an economic intelligence strategy. This approach is intended to be deployed by the agency thanks to an organization adapted to the missions and within a framework of support for companies under missions of general interest, but also in the context of service provision. Our objective is to organize ourselves to meet the needs of economic actors within the framework of the guidelines set by governance..
Are there plans to strengthen the La Réunion Développement team? ?
At this stage, we need to stabilize and consolidate our organization to respond to these challenges. The roadmap, detailed, is currently being written via this review of our operation, but also and above all the necessary means to meet the expectations of the board of directors. It is not excluded to strengthen society in terms of skills, but this must be done taking into account our financial capacities and to generate turnover. On this point, we are working on a business plan aimed at having forecasts. This approach, new, deserves to be shared with employees so that they can fully engage in the process. Finally, in addition to optimizing existing resources, the necessary skills will be identified, internally or through recruitment, in order to develop the efficiency of society. This is a long-term job, to carry out with the teams. In any case, I have the mandate of the president to adapt the organization and the capacities of the agency to the expectations that I have just cited.
Réunion Développement made its first public appearance in mid-October in Paris at the Cosmetic 360 trade show, where Omaïdo companies, Olica and Pat Zerbaz were able to exhibit their products and know-how. Did these cosmetic innovations from Reunion attract attention? ?
Under the banner of the “La Réunion” brand, it is true that the Cosmetic 360 show is our first intervention for the direct benefit of local economic players. The cosmetics industry represents 500 billion euros globally and is not facing a decline in its market. It is booming and at the forefront of innovation. The Réunion Region has identified this sector as a strategic priority for its economic development., providing opportunities for local businesses while attracting international players. The objective is to position the island as a hotspot for biodiversity – 900 native plant species – and innovation in the field of cosmetics., thus capitalizing on the territory's natural resources and distinctive local know-how. A Reunion delegation has been formed to participate in the Cosmetic 360 2024 show. Present in the Overseas pavilion of Business France under the banner of the territorial brand “La Réunion”, three Reunion companies, accompanied by the Qualitropic competitiveness cluster, have promoted their know-how and product : Omaïdo, French brand of care 100% of natural origin and cold formulated ; Olica, for its 100% pure local essential oils and Pat Zerbaz, which innovates in the use of natural resources with techniques for extracting active ingredients found in the roots of endemic plants without destroying them. The two days of the show allowed companies to promote their products to both a French and international target audience.. Seventy meetings were held with around thirty projects with development potential as a result.. During the show, the delegation received a visit from Marc Ferracci, Minister of Industry*, that of the General Directorate of Overseas, as well as those of the president of Cosmetic Valley and its general director, Christophe Mason.
Among your missions is the promotion of “Reunion’s economic assets to external investors” : Is encouraging foreign companies to set up in Reunion Island once again on the agenda? ?
The attractiveness of the territory is indeed part of our missions within the framework of the pillar of internationalization. We are working on it, in line with the strategic orientations carried out by the Réunion Region, in order to promote our abilities to develop economic activity in collaboration with project leaders, in the so-called priority areas of the regional economic development plan, investments and innovation. Our action is based on a search for win-win. Lately, thanks to the Indian Ocean Islands Economic Forum, held in Mayotte, we were able to forge links with our regional partners to work together for the economic development of the area. This attractive character of the territory, that we carry, finds its place in ecological transition actions. Public policies carried out on this subject clearly highlight our need to consolidate our positioning on this major issue for the future of our island territory.. And it is thanks to this insularity that we can promote our capacity to carry out innovative projects with the aim of strengthening our resilience in the face of greening issues., accompanied by external speakers if necessary.
Is there not a lot in common between your new functions and your commitment to many companies as sub-prefect for recovery? ?
I will not venture to draw a parallel between these two functions, because they already differ in status, positioning and action levers. This being, I am indeed in an ecosystem that I have learned and that I am still learning to know. I must admit to having a certain appetite for economic development and I concede with humility that I need to better identify the expectations of economic actors.. On the other hand, I must admit that the method of approaching the issues, studying possible solutions and carrying out these actions is generally similar for both functions. As such, to reflect on the missions of La Réunion Développement and its capabilities to carry them out, I am now in a position to manage a team that I must bring to the objectives set by governance. This managerial approach must be focused on a project management method. For exemple, it is fully applied in the development of our turnover, taking into account our expertise.
* Marc Ferracci was appointed Minister of Industry and Energy in December 2024.
The financial engineering offering from La Réunion Développement
A service offered to businesses.
On the financial side, the regional economic development agency offers two service packages for Reunion companies and project leaders :
Support for fundraising
This service includes the development of the financing plan according to the needs of the project, the production of documentation to be transmitted to financing stakeholders (banks, investment funds, Feder wicket…) and support during exchanges/negotiations, until financing agreements are obtained.
The advisory service
This service can cover various themes (for exemple : the definition or evolution of the economic model, identification of funding source, file assembly advice, structuring projects and deploying appropriate growth strategies).
Contacts on :
contact@lareuniondeveloppement.re
