> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://businessoi.media/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# [RÉUNION] New Economy Act II: 12,000 firms, €115M, and the AI pivot
- URL: https://businessoi.media/en/la-reunion-nouvelle-economie-acte-ii-12-000-entreprises-115-meu-et-le-virage-de-lia-en/
- Published: 2026-08-19T13:39:29.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-19T13:39:29.000Z
- Description: Five years and 12,000 businesses later, Réunion Region launches Act II of its New Economy: AI, local production and image industries for 2026-2030. Up to €319M available via ERDF.
- Author: Emmanuel TAOCHY
- Tags: La Réunion, Économie, Tech, Startup, Clôture, #en

**Five years into the Nouvelle Économie programme, Réunion Region reports a positive track record — 12,000 businesses supported, €115 million committed — and is now pivoting toward artificial intelligence and local production for 2026-2030.**

## A successful first cycle (2021-2026)

Since 2021, the Regional Council has deployed €115 million through 14 dedicated schemes targeting micro-enterprises and SMEs, ranging from grants of €5,000–10,000 for small projects to deeper support for high-potential businesses. More than 12,000 companies have benefited from the programme across sectors including low-carbon construction, organic food production and sustainable hospitality. Results were showcased on 12 August 2026 through three representative businesses: a low-carbon concrete SME, an organic market garden, and an eco-friendly hotel.

## Act II: three strategic pillars

For the 2026-2030 phase, the Region is mobilising up to €319 million through the ERDF 2021-2027 programme. The three strategic priorities are: boosting **local production** (reducing import dependency), developing the **image industries** (cinema, audiovisual, gaming), and guiding businesses through the **artificial intelligence** transition. A regional economic convention is planned for September 2026 to bring all private and institutional stakeholders on board.

## Why it matters

In an island where unemployment exceeds 18% and the trade balance remains structurally negative, strengthening local production and upgrading into creative and technology industries is a pivotal lever. The ERDF window is time-limited: funds not committed before 2027 are funds lost. Act II is a real test of Réunion's ability to turn public grants into durable economic anchors.

*Sources: Imazpress, Journal.re, Outremers360 (August 2026).*