The primary resources of French Polynesia, besides the key industry of tourism, are products of the coconut (coprah and refined coconut oil), while secondary resources include mother-of-pearl shells, cultured black pearls, fishing and aquaculture and vanilla.

The development of agriculture and ocean resources is also of increasing importance.

In the last few years Papeete has become a modern city with new public facilities: shopping centers, boutiques, restaurants, night clubs and bars, travel agencies and airline offices, art galleries and museums, including the Tahiti Pearl Center, a museum featuring the rare and lovely Pinctada Margaritifera, The Tahitian black pearl.

Tahiti offers three auditoriums of contemporary design and equipment, with seating capacity for 208,463 and 830, used for international or corporate conferences and conventions.

The International Golf Course of Atimaono, located on Tahiti’s west coast some 25 miles from Papeete, is open to visiting golfers.

Responding to the needs of the outer islands, local authorities have embarked on a major project to improve the economy of the remote archipelagoes (Marquesas, Australs, Tuamotu and Mangareva Islands). More airstrips, port facilities and new roads are being built while public services and utilities are improved.