Martinique is an example of the ultraperifer areas of the EU which exposes it to the numerous development problems, and since it is also an island, it is additionaly burdened by economic, social and environmental challenges. The local economy relies mostly on sugar production from cane, rum and banana cultivation.
Top quality tourism is, in spite of expectations, mostly still on the very beginnings. High unemployment of young people is who often go to France or other countries in the Caribbean area. Although there are many successful examples of investments from European funds that developed or preserved some manufacturing activities, their overall efficiency is so far only 4.5 percent.