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CMF: Promoting the French maritime economy


Created through the wishes of the private sector under the aegis of the French Institute of the Sea (IFM), from which it is independent and complementary, the French Maritime Cluster (CMF) formally came into existence at the beginning of 2006. The purpose of the CMF is essentially a tool to promote the French Merchant Marine sector. As such, it must itself have greater knowledge and understanding of the various sectors of which it consists for dissemination to be efficient. Like the IFM, it has drawn into the line of battle for the 2007 elections.

As a lobbying organisation lending its weight to members seeking its support, the CMF intervenes on specific issues either with political authorities or with decision centres which may have some influence on the activities of the CMF or on that of any of its members.

The CMF also lobbies for and communicates on particular and totally or partially overlapping issues in order to highlight the achievements of its members or more generally to promote their activities or take up their defence (including when they are attacked unfairly or tried by the media). The global plan of action developed provides for various tools to be set up by the end of 2007. Apart from leading articles in various magazines or targeted media and press releases on current maritime affairs, the CMF is developing its own communication tools (such as this brochure) to give both France and the rest of the world a better knowledge of the French maritime economy.

Finally, the very definition of the word “cluster” implies an alliance of members combining to take action in concert in order to enhance their performance, which they could not achieve alone. Within this framework the CMF has a duty to help its members to identify the common ground for such joint action. This is precisely the goal of the so-called “synergetic” initiatives which, after the initial and intense work of collecting suggestions and taking stock, the CMF decided in July 2006 to examine.

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