How can you find funding to start or grow a business in French Polynesia?

Summary

The Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Services and Trades (CCISM) of French Polynesia publishes an overview of financial and support schemes for businesses in the territory. The official page points in particular to loans, investment grants and schemes operated by various bodies of the Pays (territorial government) or partners. Capital OS links the CCISM to the "Prêt d'honneur Initiative Polynésie Française" [Initiative French Polynesia honour loan] (grant ID 8775). This link should be read as an identification or support connection, not as proof that the CCISM pays out the loan: the scheme is presented on the official page with a separate Initiative Polynésie contact.

A gateway to the Pays's schemes

The CCISM helps businesses identify the schemes available based on their activity, stage of development and the nature of the project. Its official overview distinguishes several categories: microcredit and support, guarantees, participative loans, honour loans and investment grants. Not all of the bodies mentioned are the CCISM itself. This signposting role is particularly important when rules vary by sector, island, company size or type of expenditure.

The Initiative Polynésie honour loan

The reference database links the CCISM to the "Prêt d'honneur Initiative Polynésie Française" [Initiative French Polynesia honour loan] (grant ID 8775). The CCISM's official page describes an interest-free personal loan, with no guarantee or processing fee, with amounts and terms that vary depending on the project category and sector. It identifies Initiative Polynésie as the contact. The conditions shown on the page must nevertheless be confirmed with this operator before any application: activity criteria, capital contribution, bank or Sofidep co-financing, repayment term, grace period and any insurance. The loan is repayable and must not be classified as a grant.

Other instruments not to be confused with this one

The CCISM page also mentions solutions operated by other bodies, including ADIE for microcredit, SOGEFOM for guarantees, SOFIDEP for participative loans, and several public grants linked to investment or specific sectors. For example, an equipment grant may be awarded by the Direction générale des affaires économiques (General Directorate for Economic Affairs), while the CCISM helps prepare the application.

Preparing a targeted search

Before contacting the CCISM, clarify the business activity, the island where the company is based, its legal form, how long it has existed, the amount sought and the planned expenses. For a loan, document the need, the capital contributions, the repayment capacity and any additional funding. For an investment grant, check the eligible equipment, rates, caps and any sector-specific restrictions. The CCISM page links to a summary dated June 2026; you should check whether this document has been replaced and whether the relevant fund still has budget available.

Frequently asked questions

Does the CCISM award the Initiative honour loan? The official page identifies Initiative Polynésie as the scheme's contact; the CCISM serves as a signposting point.

Is the loan a grant? No, it is a repayable loan.

Are all the grants on the page funded by the CCISM? No, several bodies of the Pays and partners are explicitly mentioned.

Are the published amounts guaranteed as of today? They must be reconfirmed with the operator and against the rules currently in force.

Official sources

CCISM — Financial schemes — https://www.ccism.pf/la-ccism/se-lancer/aides-et-dispositifs-d-accompagnement/les-dispositifs-financiers Official overview of loans, guarantees, microcredit and support schemes. CCISM — Investment grants — https://www.ccism.pf/la-ccism/se-lancer/aides-et-dispositifs-d-accompagnement/les-aides-l-investissement Details of grants operated by various bodies and the CCISM's assistance role.

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