Luciana Raspail appointed Director General of CCISM after 15 years of service

MARIGOT--The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Saint-Martin, CCISM, has appointed Luciana Raspail as its new Director General, marking the latest step in a 15-year career within the institution that began when she joined as a secretary in 2011.

The appointment was made on the proposal of CCISM President Angèle Dormoy and comes in the same year that Raspail celebrates 15 years with the Chamber. CCISM said the appointment opens a new chapter for the institution, with an emphasis on becoming more responsive to businesses, improving efficiency and strengthening its contribution to the economic development of Saint-Martin.

Raspail has held a series of positions within CCISM since joining the organization. After starting as a secretary, she went on to serve as an assistant at the Business Formalities Center, Export Project Officer, Business Support Manager and Deputy Director before assuming responsibility for the general management of the institution.

According to CCISM, the progression has given Raspail experience across several areas of its work, including business registration and support, business formalities, international development, project management and the strategic management of the institution.

Her professional development has also included continued academic training. Raspail successively obtained a bachelor's degree in management, a first-year master's degree in international management and trade, followed by a second-year master's degree in human resources.

CCISM said approximately a dozen applications from candidates with varying backgrounds and experience were considered for the Director General position before Raspail was selected.

Dormoy said the decision reflected Raspail's knowledge of the local economic environment and her understanding of the institution.

“We received around a dozen applications, with varied profiles and experiences. After a rigorous analysis of each, one choice emerged: that of an internal candidate,” Dormoy said.

She said Raspail's career within CCISM, detailed knowledge of Saint-Martin's economic environment and vision for the organization met the requirements of the position.

Dormoy added that the appointment also demonstrates the importance of institutions developing and recognizing people who have committed themselves to their organizations over time.

Focus on businesses and economic development

As Director General, Raspail intends to position CCISM as an organization that is closer to businesses and more responsive to the economic realities confronting Saint-Martin.

The Chamber said the approach will include gaining a better understanding of the territory's business community, anticipating the needs of entrepreneurs and developing services that provide practical value to companies.

The strategy also calls for internal transformation within CCISM, including improving efficiency, strengthening the use of data and evaluation, developing staff skills and autonomy, introducing new projects and partnerships and diversifying resources to strengthen the institution's long-term capacity.

Business support, entrepreneurship, training, youth, innovation and greater regional and international engagement will remain central to the Chamber's work.

Raspail described the appointment as both an honor and a responsibility after 15 years within the organization.

“These fifteen years have taught me the importance of continuing to train, evolve and seize opportunities to grow,” Raspail said.

She said her ambition is to use that experience to build a CCISM that is closer to the realities on the ground, more agile, more effective and focused on the needs and opportunities of Saint-Martin.

“This new stage will be collective. It will be built with our elected representatives, my team, our partners and, of course, the businesses of Saint-Martin,” she said.

New role begins with regional and national outreach

Raspail's first activities following her appointment have already included strengthening CCISM's relationships outside Saint-Martin.

Accompanied by Dormoy, she travelled to Paris to participate in CCINERGIES, the annual seminar of the network of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, as well as Choose Outre-mer, organized by the French ministry responsible for overseas territories.

The visit included working meetings with major national networks, including CMA France and Chambers of Agriculture France, as well as overseas partners ACCIOM, COIREMA and FEDOM and representatives of the ministry responsible for overseas territories.

CCISM said the objective is to strengthen its relationships with partners, represent Saint-Martin's interests and mobilize national and overseas networks to support businesses and the territory's economic development.

The Chamber represents and supports approximately 9,000 businesses registered in Saint-Martin and serves as an intermediary between the business community and local, national and European public authorities.

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