Poe Rava Nui Official Named New PDT Chairman

PAPEETE, Tahiti (Aug. 2, 2006)—Alfred Martin, chairman and general manager of Poe Rava Nui, is the new chairman of Perles de Tahiti, the 13-year-old trade association that promotes Tahitian cultured pearls worldwide.

Martin, 48, became the new chairman during a recent Perles de Tahiti board meeting at its downtown Papeete headquarters. He succeeds Robert Wan, chairman of Tahiti Perles and chairman of the Professional Association of Pearl Producers, known by its French initials of SPPP.

The 27-year-old Poe Rava Nui was created in 1979. Today it is one of four pearl producer groups in French Polynesia, one of three groups that represent small and medium size producers and one of two groups to hold Tahitian cultured pearl auctions.

Up until now the post of Perles de Tahiti chairman has rotated every two years among a representative of the French Polynesia government, SPPP and Poe Rava Nui.

However, the recent addition of two other groups of pearl producers means the post will begin rotating in two years among five entities. The two new groups are Poe o Tahiti Nui (POTN) and the Association of Small and Medium Size Producers in French Polynesia, known by its French initials of SPMPPF. Like Poe Rava Nui, the two new groups also represent small and medium size pearl producers.

Members of the present Perles de Tahiti board of directors, office and general assembly

Chairman: Alfred Martin
1st Vice-Chairman: Michel Yip, French Polynesia Perliculture Minister.
2nd Vice-Chairman: Robert Wan, chairman of SPPP.
General Manager: Martin Coeroli.
French Polynesia Government Representatives:

• Jacqui Drollet, Vice President, Finance Minister, Economy Minister, Tourism Minister, Budget Minister, Communications Minister, Responsible for Governmental Action Coherence and Official Government Spokesman
• Moehau Teriitahi, Minister of Outer Islands Development.

French Polynesia Assembly Representative: Myron Mataoa.
Producer Representatives:

• SPPP: Robert Wan, chairman; Ms. Dora Fourcade, Ms. Aline Baldassari-Bernard and Anapa Tauru
• GIE Poe Rava Nui: Alfred Martin, chairman/general manager, Pierre Lehartel and Nilton Tuihani
• GIE Poe o Tahiti Nui: Ms. Elisabeth Moe, chairman, and Francis Laine
• SPMPPF: Georges Mataoa, chairman.

Honorary Chairpersons:

• Edouard Fritch


• Mrs. Anatila Bréaud, Pierre Lehartel, Franck Tehaamatai, Pierre a Teriitehau and Robert Wan.

Government Representative: William Vanizette, head of the Foreign Trade Department.
Auditor: Patrick Chaine
Meeting Secretary: Ms. Merehau Anastas.