World Country Guide

Business Profile

Economy
The mainstays of the country’s economy are mining, tourism and, to a lesser degree, agriculture and fishing. The agricultural sector produces cereals, fruit and vegetables, as well as copra and coffee for export. The fishing industry trawls primarily for shrimp and tuna, the bulk of which is sold to Japan. A small light-industrial sector has grown up in the last two decades, producing building materials, furniture and processed foods, largely for domestic consumption. In the mining sector, New Caledonia is the world’s largest producer of nickel after Canada and the USA, and has about one-quarter of the world’s known deposits; this generates 90 per cent of the country’s export revenue. There are also deposits of cobalt, iron, manganese, lead and zinc. Tourism is the major service industry and remains the most dynamic sector in terms of economic development.
Subventions from France are essential to the territory’s economic well-being. And, by virtue of its link with France, New Caledonia is an Associate Member of the EU. France is the largest trading partner, accounting for approximately half of all imports and exports, followed by Australia, Germany, Japan and the USA.

Business
Appointments should be made. Businesspeople generally work long hours and take long lunch breaks, but business lunches are rare as most businesspeople go home at lunchtime. Prices should be quoted in Euros or French Pacific Francs. The best time to visit is May to October. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1130 and 1330-1730; Sat 0730-1130.

Commercial Information
The following organisation can offer advice: Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie, BP M3, 15 rue de Verdun, 98849 Nouma Cdex (tel: 243 100; fax: 243 131; e-mail: cci@cci.nc; website: www.cci.nc).

Conferences/Conventions
Conferences and conventions take place at major hotels such as Le Meridien, Park Hotel and Novotel Surf Nouma, as well as at the Chamber of Commerce (for address, see above), the Tjibaou Cultural Centre and the South Pacific Commission, all situated in Nouma.