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Doing business & staying in touch

Lightweight suits are recommended. The best time to visit is January to March and June to September. A command of French is essential, as most of the island's business is connected with France.

Office hours: 

Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1400-1800.

Economy: 

In the agricultural sector, sugar cane and bananas are the main cash crops; a range of fruit is also grown for domestic consumption and export. Cut flowers have also become an important export earner. The processing of agricultural goods and refining of imported oil (which is also the main source of energy) are the island's main industries.

The most important part of the economy is tourism, both as a major employer and a vital source of foreign exchange - worth some US$400 million a year to the economy. Martinique also enjoys substantial material benefits from being an integral part of the French nation, receiving financial support both from Paris and the EU. France accounts for more than 75% of Martinique's foreign trade, with the remainder of the import market captured by the major EU economies and the USA.
Facilities for business conferences are available at the Palais des Congrès Convention Centre.

GDP: 

US$37 million.

Main exports: 

Petroleum products, bananas, sugar, cut flowers, rum and pineapples.

Main imports: 

Petroleum products, crude oil, foodstuffs, construction materials, vehicles, clothing and other consumer goods.

Main trading partners: 

France, Germany, Guadeloupe, Italy, Venezuela and USA.

Telephone: 

There are both payphones and card phones on the island. Télécartes (phonecards) are sold at post offices, newsagents and kiosks. There are only card phones at the airport.

Mobile phone: 

Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies. Coverage extends throughout the French Antilles and in French Guiana.

Internet: 

There are a few Internet cafes in Martinique, predominantly in the cities such as Fort de France and main tourist areas.

Post: 

Letters take about a week to reach Europe.

Post office hours: 

Mon-Fri 0700-1800 and Saturday mornings.

Media: 

TV and radio services are provided by the French public overseas broadcaster, RFO, and by private operators.

Press: 

• Newspapers are in French and vary in their political bias.
• The main dailies are Carib Hebdo and France Antilles.
• Other newspapers are imported into Martinique, such as the Washington Post.

Television: 

• RFO Martinique is a public channel, operated by Réseau France Outre-Mer.
• Antilles TV is a private channel.

Radio: 

• RFO Martinique is a public station, operated by Réseau France Outre-Mer.
• Radio Caraibes International and NRJ Antilles are private stations.

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