Download Madagascar - Capital High School

Madagascar
KEY FACTS
Official name: Repoblikan’i
Madagasikara (Republic of
Madagascar)
MADAGASCAR
Antsiranana
Sambava
Mahajanga
Mandritsara
Maevatanana
Ambodifototra
MADAGASCAR
Toamasina
Moramanga
Miandrivazo
Antananarivo
Morondava
Mananjary
Fianarantsoa
Ankazoabo
Betroka
INDIAN
Tuléar
(Toliary)
Taolañaro
OCEAN
Ambovombe
0
Miles
250
0
Km
400
then President Didier Ratsiraka of the
Andry sy Riana Enti-Manavotra an’i
Madagasikara (Arema) (Association for
the Rebirth of Madagascar) 40.89 per
cent. A second round of voting was set for
24 February 2002, but Ravalomanana’s
supporters protested in Antananarivo and
demanded that he should become president and that Ratsiraka should resign..
On 22 February, at a mass rally in
Antananarivo, Ravalomana declared
himself president before 100,000 supporters to 'save the country from chaos’.
France, which maintains a close interest
in
its
former
colony,
urged
Ravalomanana to resume negotiations.
After Ratsiraka declared a national state
of emergency that would allow him to
rule by decree, many thousands of protesters amassed in the capital to support
Ravalomanana.
After further protests and violence, the
Organisation of African Unity (OAU –
now called the African Union (AU)),
called for a national reconciliation government to organise fresh elections.
Recount
A
French protectorate was established
in Madagascar in 1895 and a colony
in 1896. During the Second World
War – in 1942 – British troops landed on
the island, to prevent it falling to the Japanese. The pace towards independence
quickened after the 1939–45 war with the
formation of modern political parties,
which co-operated with the French authorities in implementing constitutional
reforms. In a 1958 referendum, Madagascar voted to become an autonomous republic within the French African
community.
2001 election stand-off
The first round of presidential elections
held in December 2001 brought Madagascar close to civil war. Opposition candidate Marc Ravalomanana claimed an
outright victory, claiming he had won 51
per cent of the vote, when official results
gave his party, the Tiako i Madagasikara
(TIM) (I Love and Care for Madagascar)
alliance, 46.21 per cent of the vote, against
Head of State: President Marc
Ravalomanana (TIM) (sworn in 6
May 2002)
Head of government: Prime Minister
Jacques Sylla (appointed 16 Jun
2002)
Ruling party: Coalition government,
including technocrats
Area: 592,000 square km (the
fourth-largest island in the world)
Population: 17.66 million (2004)
Capital: Antananarivo
Official language: Malagasy, French
Currency: Franc Malgache (Mf) =
100 centimes
Exchange rate: Mf10,100.00 per
US$ (Jul 2004)
GDP per capita: US$274 (2003)
GDP real growth: 9.60% (2003)
Labour force: 7.30 million (2003)
Unemployment: 5.90% (2003)
Inflation: 1.00% (2003)
Balance of trade: -US$285.00
million (2003)
Foreign debt: US$4.60 billion
(2003)
On 17 April 2002, the Supreme Court annulled the disputed election results of December 2001 and ordered a recount, which
was published by the High Constitutional
Court on 29 April. It showed that
Ravalomanana was the clear winner with
51.5 per cent of the votes to Ratsiraka’s
35.9 per cent, while other contenders had
taken 12.6 per cent. On 6 May,
Ravalomanana was sworn in as the legitimate president of Madagascar.
This did not end the crisis.
Ravalomanana and Ratsiraka held rival
parliamentary sessions in different parts of
the country. Ravalomanana’s legitimacy
was given a major boost when the US recognised him as the country’s legitimate
president. On 16 June, Ravalomanana appointed Jacques Sylla as prime minister
and on 3 July, France recognised
Ravalomanana as Madagascar’s legitimate
president. Two days later, Ratsiraka fled to
Seychelles and then to France, and troops
loyal to Ravalomanana took control of the
whole island, including Ratsiraka’s stronghold in Toamasina.
915
Nations of the World: A Political, Economic and Business Handbook
2002 elections
On 9 October 2002, President Ravalomanana
dissolved the National Assembly and set
15 December 2002 for new elections. The
elections went peacefully for an enlarged
160-member National Assembly and were
won by TIM with 102 seats; TIM was supported by the Firaisankinam-Pierena (FP)
(National Union), which won 23 seats.
Other parties, including Arema, won 13
seats altogether. There were 22
independents.
On 27 January 2003, Prime Minister
Jacques Sylla announced a new cabinet
and it appeared that after an eventful year,
Madagascar could enjoy a period of
peace.
Economy
By the time that Ratsiraka had lost power,
the economy was actually beginning to improve. He had transformed the socialist-run
economy into a free market one. French
companies had returned in numbers; some
10 corporations had established IT operations in Madagascar and it was hoped that
the country could become the Francophone
equivalent to India in the IT world. Economic progress was stalled by the political
events of 2002 and there was negative
growth of 11.9 per cent in that year. The
economy surged forward in 2003 and registered positive growth of 9.6 per cent, which
is expected to continue through 2004.
Madagascar could benefit substantially
from the US Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and is set to increase its
textile exports to the US.
In March 2003, the government declared that there were extreme food shortages in five districts in southern
Madagascar due to poor rainfall. Cyclone
Gafilo, estimated to have been the worst
cyclone in 20 years, struck Madagascar in
March 2004, killing 74 people and damaging more than 117,000 hectares of
farmland.
The opening up of the economy began in
early 2003: foreign exchange was liberalised, import licences removed and some
state monopolies ended. The country became the focus for new regional business
initiatives. Mauritius’ Ireland Blyth Ltd
(IBL) increased its activities in Madagascar in transport logistics, shipping and
courier services through Fraser Madagascar SARL, based at Antananarivo and
Toamasina.
Two other benefits to Madagascar have
been the IMF’s decision to extend the
Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility
(PRGF) programme, due to end in 2003,
until 1 March 2005, and France’s decision
in April 2003 to cancel US$55 million of
Madagascar’s foreign debt.
Outlook
Poverty is still a major problem and although Madagascar has embarked upon a
period of improved economic growth,
corruption and crime have been increasing
dramatically.
Risk assessment
Economic
Political
Regional stability
KEY INDICATORS
Improving
Fair
Satisfactory
Madagascar
Unit
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
m
15.51
15.97
16.40
16.90
17.28
Gross domestic product
(GDP)
US$bn
Population
3.70
3.90
4.70
4.50
4.74
US$
240
243
286
266
274
GDP real growth
%
4.6
4.8
6.7
-11.9
9.6
Inflation
%
9.9
11.9
7.0
14.8
1.0
1995=100
146.1
163.7
175.0
202.9
–
584.0
824.0
947.0
55.0
700.0
GDP per capita
Consumer prices
Exports (fob) (goods)
US$m
Imports (fob) (goods)
US$m
742.0
997.0
1,095.0
68.0
985.0
Balance of trade
US$m
-158.0
-174.0
-148.0
-13.0
-285.0
Current account
US$m
-252.0
-283.0
-265.0
-34.0
–
Foreign debt
US$bn
4.4
4.4
4.1
4.3
4.6
Total reserves
minus gold
US$m
227.2
285.2
398.3
363.3
–
Foreign exchange
Exchange rate
916
US$m
227.0
285.1
398.2
363.2
–
per US$
6,283.80
6,767.50
6,588.50
6,832.00
6,040.00
COUNTRY PROFILE
Historical profile
1500 The first Europeans landed in
Madagascar.
1790s King Andrianampoinimerina unified the Merina tribe which soon became
the island’s dominant tribe, controlling
nearly half of Madagascar.
1820 Britain signed a treaty recognising
Madagascar as an independent state under Merina rule.
1890 An Anglo-French treaty gave control
of the island to France.
1894 Queen Ranavalona III was forced to
abdicate and Madagascar was declared a
French colony.
1947 After several decades of growing resentment and resistance to French rule, an
insurrection was crushed by France with
the loss of several thousand lives.
1960 The Republic of Madagascar
(known between 1960–72 as the Malagasy Republic) gained full independence.
Philibert Tsiranana became president.
1972 Tsiranana was forced from office;
he was replaced by General Gabriel
Ramantsoa, the army commander.
1975 Ramantsoa was replaced by Colonel Richard Ratsimandrava; within one
week he had been killed and a rebel army
group announced a military takeover.
They, in turn, were quickly defeated by
army elements loyal to the ex-president. A
new government was installed under
Didier Ratsiraka.
1992–93 Following three years of protests
and civil disturbances after Ratsiraka’s
third presidential election victory, a referendum endorsed a multi-party constitution
which enshrined a unitary state and reduced the powers of the president. In the
1992/93 presidential election Ratsiraka
was defeated by Albert Zafy.
1997 Didier Ratsiraka beat Albert Zafy in
the presidential election.
2000 Elections continued to give Didier
Ratsiraka and his party considerable political power.
2001 There was no clear winner in the
presidential elections. The constitutional
court ordered a recount; supporters of the
opposition candidate, Marc
Ravalomanana, insisted that he won the
first ballot.
2002 The High Constitutional Court declared that a recount of the election
showed Marc Ravalomanana was the winner. Hostilities broke out between
Ratsiraka and Ravalomanana supporters,
bringing the country close to civil war.
Didier Ratsiraka fled to the Seychelles with
his family. The US and France recognised
Ravalomanana as Madagascar’s legitimate president and he took control of the
whole island.
Madagascar
President Marc Ravalomanana’s Tiako i
Madagasikara (TIM) (I Love and Care for
Madagascar) won the parliamentary
elections.
2003 On 27 January, Prime Minister
Jacques Sylla announced a new cabinet.
2004 In February, tropical cyclones, Elita
and Gafilo, left thousands homeless.
Political structure
Constitution
A constitutional referendum in September
1995 gave the president the power to appoint or dismiss the prime minister.
Form of state
Republic
The executive
Under the constitution the prime minister
is head of government and exercises virtually all executive power. The president is
directly elected for five years.
National legislature
Legislative power is vested in a 160-member Antenimieram-Pirenena/Assemblée
Nationale (National Assembly), elected for
four years by proportional representation.
The constitution also provides for a Senate, of which two-thirds of the members
are appointed by an electoral college,
and the remainder nominated by the president. The mandate of the senators is four
years; half of them are elected or appointed every two years.
Last elections
15 December 2002 (parliamentary); 16
December 2001/24 February 2002
(presidential).
Results: Parliamentary: President Marc
Ravalomanana’s Tiako i Madagasikara
(TIM) (I Love and Care for Madagascar)
won 102 seats out of 160, the
Firaisankinam-Pirenena (FP) (National Union) coalition 23, independents 22 and
minor parties 13; turnout was 67.6 per
cent.
Presidential: there was no clear winner;
the High Constitutional Court declared
that a recount of the election showed
Marc Ravalomanana was the winner with
51.5 per cent of the vote, over Ratsiraka
with 35.9 per cent.
Next elections
2006 (parliamentary); 2007 (presidential).
Political parties
Ruling party
Coalition government, including
technocrats
Main opposition party
Andry sy Riana Enti-Manavotra an’i
Madagasikara (Arema) (Association for
the Rebirth of Madagascar) has the most
seats in the National Assembly (three), behind Tiako i Madagasikara (TIM) (I Love
and Care for Madagascar) and the
Firaisankinam-Pirenena (FP) (National Union) coalition.
Population
17.66 million (2004)
Ethnic make-up
The population comprises 18 separate
ethnic groups, all deriving in varying degrees from Malayo-Indonesian origin, with
African and Arab influences a particular
feature in coastal areas. The Merinas
(central highlands) represent about 26 per
cent of the total, while the Betsimisaraka
on the east coast account for 15 per cent
and the Betsileo (southern highlands) 12
per cent. The other main groups are the
Antankarana (north), Sakalava (west) and
Mahafaly and Antandroy (far south).
There is long-standing rivalry between the
highland groups (particularly the Merina)
and those of the coastal regions.
Religions
Traditional beliefs (50 per cent), Christianity (about 43 per cent), Islam (7 per cent).
Education
Primary education lasts for five years. Secondary schooling is divided into two, beginning with a four-year programme.
When completed students may continue in
either an acedemic or technical
programme, for a further three years. Education may be given in either French or
Madagasy.
The majority of those who do not attend
school or who withdraw early come from
the poorest sections of the population and
those living in rural areas; illiteracy rates
in women are a higher among the youngest; and nearly half of school age children are not enrolled in schools.
Between 1995 and 1999, public expenses
in education were increased from 8.7 per
cent to 18.3 per cent of total budgetary
expenses and from 1.5 per cent to 3 per
cent of GDP. Higher education expenses
amount to only 0.5 per cent of GDP.
Literacy rate: 68.1 per cent total, 61.6
per cent female; adult rates (World Bank).
Compulsory years: Six to 11.
Enrolment rate: 64.5 per cent net primary enrolment, 11.5 per cent net secondary enrolment (World Bank).
Pupils per teacher: 47 in primary
schools.
Health
About 60 per cent of the population live
within 5km of, or about one hour’s walk
from, a public health centre.
Total expenditure on health is around 2
per cent of GDP, of which government
spending is about 66 per cent.
Vaccination facilities remain poor with
only 61 per cent of children immunised
against measles, before aged one year.
More than three-quarters of the people
have no ready access to drinking water.
HIV/Aids
The government has a national Aids policy that covers all economic sectors.
Life expectancy: 55 years; although
nearly one-third of the population’s life
expectancy is below 40 (World Bank
2002).
Fertility rate/Maternal mortality rate:
5.2 births per woman; maternal mortality
488 per 100,000 live births (World Bank).
Infant mortality rate: 84 per 1,000 live
births (World Bank).
Head of population per physician/
bed: One doctor per approximately
10,000 people; most health officers work
in urban areas.
Welfare
The political crisis during 2002 caused
economic conditions to worsen, with thousands of people losing their jobs.
In March 2004 Madagascar was struck by
Cyclone Gafilo, estimated to have been
the worst cyclone in 20 years. It killed 74
people and damaged more than 117,000
hectares of farmland. Initial estimates suggest around 200 schools and an equal
number of health centres were damaged
or destroyed. Total damage was estimated, by Government, at US$250 million. Two earlier cyclones in January and
February killed 29 people and injured
100 while 45,000 were made homeless.
Main cities
Antananarivo (capital, and principal business centre, estimated population 1.3 million in 2004); Toamasina (Tamatave), on
the east coast, the island’s main port and
the centre of the main area for producing
cloves (173,700); Antsirabé (158,900);
Fianarantsoa, a rich agricultural region
(137,700); Mahajanga (Majunga), the
west coast’s main port (134,600); Toliara
(formerly Tuléar), port on the south-west
coast (101,900); Antsiranana (formerly
Diégo-Suarez), port in the extreme north
of the island (74,400).
Languages spoken
French is the usual business language and
the medium for all documentation.
Very little English is spoken.
Official language/s
Malagasy, French
Media
Press
Dailies: The 1990 law on press freedom
was followed by a boom in privately-owned newspapers and encouraged more critical political reporting by
the print media. Daily newspapers in
French include the privately owned Midi
Madagasikara and Madgascar Tribune
and the Antananarivo daily L’Express de
Madagascar. Other popular dailies are
Gazetiko and Maresaka.
Weeklies: Weeklies include a Roman
Catholic publication Lakroa (Cross) covering rural and remote areas and a
bi-weekly Telo Nohorefy. Dans les media
917
Nations of the World: A Political, Economic and Business Handbook
demain (In The Media Tomorrow) is a privately-owned Antananarivo weekly news
digest with a large circulation in the
Madagascan diaspora. Feon’ny Merina
(Voice of the Merina) promotes the interests of Merina people of Malay origin.
Periodicals: Monthly magazines are
Jureco and the news magazine Revue de
l’Ocean indien covering other Indian
Ocean islands.
Broadcasting
State monopoly of radio and television
has been abolished. Radio-TélévisionAntenne 2 Malagasy (RTM) and Radio
Madagasikara broadcast in Malagasy and
French. There are several private stations
as well as state radio and television.
Radio: Echo du Capricorne is a weekly radio broadcast dealing with Madasgascar
in general, presented in both Malagasy
and French.
Economy
Agriculture is the predominant sector in
the economy, although export processing
is being developed, particularly in the textile sector. While the 2002 political crisis
caused some problems, the environment
for foreign investors is improving. Foreign
exchange has been liberalised, import
licences removed and some state monopolies ended. The opening up of the Malagasy economy should also generate niche
opportunities in aid-funded areas such as
infrastructure, education, health, mining/energy, tourism, agriculture (including
cotton and non-traditional exports) and
consumer goods.
Over 70 per cent of the population live in
poverty. To tackle poverty, the government
plans to foster high economic growth by
moving towards exports and labour intensive industries, boosting manufacturing
and services and greatly increasing agricultural output. The country is also receiving substantial assistance from the world
bank and international donors to tackle
this problem.
Madagascar is participating in the IMF’s
Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility
(PRGF) programme. The objectives of the
PRGF between 2001–03 are GDP growth
of 6 per cent, inflation of 5 per cent, an
increase in international reserves to cover
three months of imports and a reduction
in the current account deficit to an average of 7.5 per cent GDP. To do this, the
IMF has ordered a reduction in the fiscal
deficit, exchange rate flexibility and continued privatisation of state assets. IMF
has agreed to extend the PRGF until the 1
March 2005. The country should also
benefit from France’s decision in April
2003 to cancel US$55 million of Madagascar’s debt.
Although Madagascar has seen GDP
growth of 9.6 per cent in 2003 and this
918
figure is set to continue in 2004,
corruption and crime have been increasing dramatically. This is seen to be a result of the shortage and high price of
vanilla, which is driving some people to
theft.
External trade
Regular trade and current account deficits
are largely financed by aid flows and external borrowing.
On 31 December 2002, the US approved
Madagascar as being eligible for tariff
preferences under the Africa Growth and
Opportunities Act (AGOA). The legislation
requires that countries are only eligible for
greater access to US markets provided
they have made continued progress toward a market-based economy, the rule
of law, free trade, poverty reduction and
the protection of workers’ rights. This process is reviewed annually.
Imports
Prior authorisation and an import permit
are no longer required. However, control
and inspection of goods with FOB value
above US$5,000 are obligatory.
Principal imports are capital goods, food,
raw materials, consumer goods and fuel
products.
Main sources: France (17.2 per cent of
2002 total), Iran (11.0 per cent), Mauritius (10.6 per cent), Bahrain (9.3 per
cent), Hong Kong (6.9 per cent).
Exports
Principal exports are prawns, coffee, vanilla, cotton, sugar and cloves.
Main destinations: France (34.0 per cent
of 2002 total), US (24.7 per cent), The
Netherlands (6.0 per cent), Germany (5.9
per cent), Mauritius (4.0 per cent).
Agriculture
The agricultural sector dominates the
economy. It contributes around 32 per
cent to GDP and employs 75 per cent of
the working population. Madagascar has
a wide range of soil types.
Main cash/export crops are prawns, coffee, cotton, cloves and vanilla, production
of which has fluctuated due to recurrent
droughts and cyclones. Vanilla used to be
the country’s main export crop but high
local taxes and increased competition
from Indonesia and Mexico has inhibited
the vanilla sector.
Main food crops are rice, maize, bananas
and sweet potatoes. Groundnuts, pineapples, coconuts and sugar are also grown,
mostly for internal use. The decline in coffee prices led to many growers switching
production to rice, increasing production
by 5 per cent, and making Madagascar
self-sufficient in rice (the staple diet of the
country) for the first time since the
mid-1970s, with annual production at
around 2.5 million tonnes per year.
Divestiture of vanilla, cotton and sugar
parastatals is expected to encourage
greater foreign investment.
The potential future development of the
cotton industry is of particular interest, as
it may supply the growth in the textile
trade being promoted by companies from
Mauritius and elsewhere.
The livestock sector is dominant in the
west and south of the country.
Crop production in 2003 included: 2.9
million metric tonnes (mt) cereals in total,
*10,000mt wheat, 181,000mt maize, 2.4
million mt cassava, 297,525mt potatoes,
509,175mt sweet potatoes, 2.8 million mt
rice, *290,000mt bananas, 89,545mt
pulses, 3.4 million mt roots and tubers,
*84,500mt coconuts, *97,900mt citrus
fruit, *10,400mt grapes, *22,000mt tomatoes, 28,132mt oilcrops, *1,300mt tobacco, 4,410mt cocoa beans, *61,650mt
green coffee, *1,518mt vanilla,
*15,500mt cloves, 1,600mt pepper spice,
4,790mt other spices, 2.2 million mt
sugar cane, *11,200mt cotton lint,
17,250mt sisal, *210,000mt mangoes,
*200,000mt taro, *890,600mt fruit in total, *343,610mt vegetables in total.
The estimated livestock production or
2003 included: 297,067mt meat in total,
146,625mt beef, 70,000mt pig-meat,
8,616mt lamb and goat meat, 67,160mt
poultry, 19,436mt eggs, 535,000mt milk,
3,930mt honey, 20,700mt cattle hides,
416mt sheepskins, 50mt cocoons, silk.
Fishing
Since 1996, prawns have been the number one export earner, with 7,000 tonnes
of prawn exports earning revenues of
US$63 million per annum.
Forestry
Only 15 per cent of Madagascar’s ancient forest remains. Deforestation has left
the hills exposed to the wind and rain
which strips away the soil. Forest preservation and the creation of national parks are
receiving large-scale international
support.
Production in 2002 included 10,3 million
cubic metres (cum) roundwood,
95,000cum sawnwood, 74,000cum sawlogs and veneers, *23,000cum pulpwood, *5,000cum wood-based panels,
10.2 million cum woodfuel, 795,011mt
charcoal.
* estimate
Industry and manufacturing
The industrial sector contributes around
12 per cent of GDP and employs around
9 per cent of the workforce.
Industry is dominated by food processing
and the manufacture of textiles for the domestic market. Other major sectors include rice milling, sugar refining, distilling,
oil-seed crushing, meat, fruit and vegetable canning, processing of cashew nuts,
Madagascar
fruit juices, milk products and jams, cigarettes, soap and rope manufacturing, cotton spinning and brewing. Major
capital-intensive industries are oil refining,
fertiliser and cement production.
There are 150 firms based in industrial
free zones, representing mainly textiles,
food processing and information technology, and creating 6,000 jobs in the
Antananarivo area alone. Many textile
companies in Mauritius are relocating to
Madagascar due to the cheaper labour
rates.
Under the US government’s Africa Growth
and Opportunity Act (AGOA), Madagascar expects the textile sector to expand,
creating 70,000 new jobs between
2001–06.
Tourism
Tourism is the second most important
earner of foreign exchange, after coffee.
The sector is recovering from the crash of
2002, occasioned by the political and
economic upheaval following the presidential election of December 2001. Visitor numbers are returning to the 2001
level, when 170,208 arrivals were recorded, compared with 61,674 in 2002
and 139,230 in 2003. France is the main
market. Adventure and eco-tourism are
the main attractions. There is considerable
potential for expansion of the sector in
these and other activities, such as coastal
resorts, but inadequate infrastructure and
low investment are a hindrance to becoming truly competitive with more established
Indian Ocean destinations.
Environment
Madagascar has plants and wildlife found
nowhere else on earth, and growth of
both tourism and mining needs to be controlled to protect the fragile environment.
Mining
Excluding gold and gem production by
artisinal miners, mining contributes
around less than 1 per cent of GDP and
employs 1 per cent of the workforce. If the
informal sector is included, the contribution to GDP is around 3 per cent.
Madagascar is rich in mineral resources,
although it is still only a minor mineral
producer by regional standards. There are
sizeable deposits of a number of minerals,
industrial ores and precious and semi-precious gemstones including chrome ore,
mica, graphite, gold, bauxite, uranium,
iron ore, ilmenite/titanium, quartz, nickel,
copper, lead, platinum, labradorite,
rock-crystal, rhodolite, marble, garnets,
emeralds, rubies and sapphires. There are
known deposits containing 100 million
tonnes of bauxite and 400 million tonnes
of iron ore, although these have not been
developed due to the country’s poor
infrastructure.
Only chrome, mica and graphite have
been exploited to any great extent, and
export earnings from these are limited due
to lack of demand. The world’s largest
known emerald cluster was discovered in
Madagascar in 1996.
Small quantities of semi-precious stones
(garnets and amethysts) are mined for
export.
The state-owned Société Kraomita Malagasy (Kraoma) is Madagascar’s main
chromite producer. It extracts around
40,000 tonnes of concentrates and
80,000 tonnes of lumpy ore per year from
the Andriamana complex and a further
20,000 tonnes from the Behandrinana
mine.
Madagascar produces between 3–4
tonnes per year (tpy) of gold, mainly from
the artisinal sector which includes
100,000 individual miners and small
syndiates. Although the government tolerates this form of mining, it is worried
about its ecological effects which include
a high level of mercury leaking into
streams and rivers.
The country also produces graphite, 66
per cent of which comes from the Gallois
mine. It exports up to 15,000tpy, mostly
to UK, US and Germany.
Hydrocarbons
Madagascar does not produce oil, however exploration has been undertaken
since 1939. In 1999, six petroleum exploration contracts were signed with
Gulfstream Ltd, Triton International Inc
and Hunt Oil International. Gulfstream
Ltd and Hunt Oil are considering developing some of the oil and gas finds. There is
one refinery in Toamasina with a capacity
of around 15,000 barrels per day (bpd).
Madagascar relies on importing both
crude and refined oil and a small amount
of coal; it does not import natural gas.
Energy
The majority of the country’s energy needs
are supplied by imported fuel.
Besides fuelwood, hydropower is the main
domestic energy source. Some mines and
factories have their own small diesel or
stream-powered generators. Construction
of the country’s second dam, at
Ankorahotra, has been suspended pending evaluation of the oil fields.
Banking and insurance
Central bank
Banque Centrale de la République
Malgache
Time
GMT plus three hours
Geography
The Democratic Republic of Madagascar
comprises the island of Madagascar, the
fourth-largest in the world, and several
much smaller offshore islands, in the western Indian Ocean, about 500km (300
miles) east of Mozambique, in southern
Africa.
Climate
Tropical, cooler in highlands. The summer
period spans the months of November to
April. Numerous areas have their own micro-climates – the highlands are subject to
mild freshness in the winter, while the
eastern parts of the island experience high
temperatures and humidity, with barren
and arid conditions dominating the western sector.
In Antananarivo hottest month December
(15–28 degrees Celsius), coldest July
(9–19 degrees Celsius). The wettest month
is January. Winter in the capital lasts from
April to October, when it is cold and dry.
Madagascar falls within the cyclone belt
and cyclones tend to occur during the
rainy season December–March, which is
hot. It is rainy until June or July on the
east coast and is hotter throughout the
year. It is drier but hotter on the west
coast.
Dress codes
In Antananarivo, in the winter months,
normal weight clothing is suitable, with a
woollen sweater/cardigan recommended.
In the summer men should wear tropical
suits and women, cotton dresses. On the
coast, tropical clothing is recommended
all year round.
Entry requirements
Passports
Required by all. Passports must be valid
for six months beyond visa issue date.
Visa
Required by all, along with proof of return/onward passage. Short-term visas, up
to three months, can be obtained at a
port of entry. Business visas require a letter of invitation from a local company,
and a letter of recommendation from a
business or organisation willing to assume
financial responsibility for the visitor, to be
submitted with an application.
Currency advice/regulations
Local currency: up to Mf5,000 may be
imported and exported.
No limit on import of foreign currency, but
amounts over Mf50,000 in value must be
declared on arrival, and export is allowed
up to the declared amount.
Health (for visitors)
Mandatory precautions
Yellow fever vaccination certificate required if arriving from an infected area.
Advisable precautions
Typhoid, polio, tetanus and hepatitis A
vaccinations recommended. Malaria risk
exists throughout the country and prophylaxis is necessary. There is a rabies risk.
Water precautions should be taken.
919
Nations of the World: A Political, Economic and Business Handbook
Hotels
Good hotels are available in
Antananarivo, Toamasina, Nosy Be, Ste
Marie and Taolanaro. A service charge is
added to bills at some hotels. Discretionary tipping is usual.
Credit cards
Credit cards are of limited use in Madagascar and few establishments accept
them.
Public holidays
Fixed dates
1 Jan (New Year’s Day), 8 Mar (International Women’s Day), 29 Mar (Commemoration Day – 1947), 1 May (Labour
Day), 25 May (OAU Day), 26 Jun (National Day), 15 Aug (Assumption Day), 1
Nov (All Saints’ Day), 25 Dec (Christmas
Day).
Variable dates
Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Whit
Monday.
Working hours
Banking
Mon–Fri: 0800–1500.
Business
Mon–Fri: 0800–1630.
Government
Mon–Fri: 0800–1200, 1400–1800.
Shops
Mon–Fri: 0800–1200, 1400–1800.
Telecommunications
Postal services
Air mail is advised. Surface mail can take
between three and four months.
Electricity supply
110 or 220V AC, 50 cycles; also 380V
AC, 50 cycles
Getting there
Air
National airline: Air Madagascar
International airport/s: Antananarivo
(Code: TNR), 14km south-east of city; restaurant, currency exchange.
Airport tax: None. Any departure tax is
usually included in the price of the ticket.
Surface
Water: There are few scheduled sea
passages.
Main port/s: Toamasina (Tamatave), on the
east coast, is the island’s main port. It is
used by numerous foreign shipping lines.
Mahajanga (Majunga) is the west coast’s
main port. Antseranana (Diégo-Suarez) is
in the extreme north of the island, and
Toliara (Tuléar) is on the south-west coast.
Getting about
National transport
Air: Air Madagascar and TAM airlines fly
more than 60 domestic routes. There are
connections between all major towns,
apart from Antsirabe. Air travel is the most
used and generally recommended form of
920
transport. There are over 100 airfields on
the island, although many are just
airstrips.
Road: Generally poor and in need of repair, and only passable in good weather
(the dry season).
Three main roads leave Antananarivo –
(RN4) to Mahajanga (Majunga), (RN2) to
Toamasina (Tamatave), and the plateau
route south to Fianarantsoa (RN7).
Rail: Two classes; light refreshments may
be available; air-conditioning available
on first-class trains.
Routes are: between Toamasina and
Antsirabe, via Antananarivo, incorporating
a connection between Moramanga and
Lake Alaotra; and between Fianarantsoa
and Manakara on the east coast. Daily
services operate on most routes.
City transport
Taxis: Flat fare system for short journeys
in most towns, otherwise by negotiation;
tipping is not usual.
Car hire
Available in main centres. International
driving licence required.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
The addresses listed below are a selection
only. While World of Information makes
every endeavour to check these addresses, we cannot guarantee that
changes have not been made, especially
to telephone numbers and area codes.
We would welcome any corrections.
Telephone area codes
The international dialling code (IDD) for
Madagascar is +261 followed by operator and area codes and subscriber’s
number:
Antananarivo
22
Nosy-Be
86
Antsiranana
82
Toamasina
53
Fianarantsoa
75
Toliara
18
Mahajanga
62
Useful telephone numbers
Police: 17
Fire: 18
Ambulance: 2235-753
Chambers of Commerce
Antananarivo Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, 20 Rue Paul
Dussac, PO Box 166, 101 Antananarivo
101 (tel: 202-11; fax: 20213).
Antsiranana Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, 3 Rue Colbert, PO
Box 76, Antsiranana 201 (tel: 223-72;
fax: 294-03).
Madagascar Federation of Chambers of
Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, 20
Rue Paul Dussac, PO Box 166,
Antananarivo 101 (tel: 20-211; fax:
20-213).
Mahajanga Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, Boulevard
Poincaré, PO Box 52, Mahajanga
401(tel: 226-21).
Nosy-Be Chamber of Commerce, Industry
and Agriculture, Cours de Hell, PO Box
11, Nosy-Be 207 (tel: 610-26; fax:
610-56).
Toamasina Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Handicrafts and Agriculture, 4 Rue
de Commerce, PO Box 108, Toamasina
501 (tel: 323-45; fax: 320-25).
Banking
BNOI (linked with Banque Nationale de
Paris), PO Box 25 bis, 101 Antananarivo
(tel: 2234-609; fax: 2234-610).
Bank of Africa-Madagascar, PO Box 183,
2 Place de L’Independance, Antananarivo
101 (tel: 2239-100/2239-250,
2223-641; fax: 2229-408).
Banque SBM Madagascar, 1 Rue
Andrianary Ratianarivo Antsahavola,
Antananarivo 101 (tel: 2266-607/
2266-646-47; fax: 2266-608).
BFV-Société Générale, PO Box 196, 14
Lalana Jeneraly Rabehevitra,
Antananarivo 101 (tel: 2220-691; fax:
2234-554).
BNI-Crédit Lyonnais Madagascar, PO Box
174, 74 Rue du 26 Juin 1960,
Antananarivo 101 (tel: 228-00/239-51;
fax: 337-49).
Investco Southern Investment Bancorp,
PO Box 8510, Immeuble NIAG, 8 Lalana
Rainizanabololona, Antanimena,
Antananarivo 101 (tel:
2264-820/2229-114; fax: 2261-329).
Union Commercial Bank SA, PO Box
197, 77 Rue Solombavambahoaka
Frantsay, Antsahavola, Antananarivo 101
(tel: 2227-262; fax:
2228-740/2232-282).
Central bank
Banque Centrale de Madagascar, Avenue
de la Révolution Socialiste, PO Box 550,
Antananarivo (tel: 217-51; fax: 345-32;
e-mail: [email protected]).
Travel information
Air Madagascar, BP 437, 31 Avenue de
l’Indépendance, Analakely, Antananarivo
101 (tel: 2222-222, 2222-200; fax:
2233-760, 2225-728); Ivato Airport,
Antananarivo (tel: 2244-222, ext 5200).
Association des Agences de Voyages de
Madagascar, BP 541, Antananarivo (tel:
2222-364).
Air Mauritius, 77 Ialana
Solombavabahoaka, Frantsay,
Antsahavola, Antananarivo (tel:
2235-900; fax: 2235-773).
Réseau National des Chemins de Fer,
(Railway network), BP 259, Soarano,
Antananarivo (tel: 2220-521).
Madagascar
Ministry of tourism
Direction du Tourisme de Madagascar,
Tsimbazaza, BP 610, Antananarivo (tel:
2226-298).
British Embassy, Commercial Section, First
Floor, Immeuble 'Ny Havana’, Cité des
67 Ha, BP 167, 101 Antananarivo (tel:
2227-749, 2227-370; fax: 2226-690).
National tourist organisation offices
Maison du Tourisme de Madagascar
(Madagascar Tourist Office), Place de
l’Indépendance, Antaninarenina, PO Box
3224, Antananarivo (tel: 2232-529; fax:
2232-537).
Civil Aviation Management, Antananarivo
(tel: 2227-715).
Comité de Privatisation, Secrétariat Technique á la Privatisation Immeuble FIARO,
Zone III 1er étage, Ampefiloha, 101
Antananarivo (fax: 2260-138).
Ministries
Ministry of Private Sector Development
and Privatisation, Comité de Privatisation,
Zone III 1er étage, Ampefiloha,
Antananarivo (fax: 2260-138).
Customs Services, Ivato Airport,
Antananarivo (tel: 2244-032).
Ministry of Tourism, PO Box 610,
Tsimbazaza, Antananarivo (tel:
2226-298).
Institut National de la Statistique et de la
Recherche Economique (DGBDE), Direction Générale, BP 485, Antananarivo (tel:
2221-652).
Ministry of Transport and Meteorology,
Anosy, Antananarivo (tel: 2224-604,
2222-719).
Other useful addresses
Agence Nationale d’Information 'Taratra’
(ANTA), 3 rue du R P Callet, BP 386,
Antananarivo (tel: 2221-171).
Association of the Hotel Industry of Madagascar (SIHM), c/o Sofitrans – Soarano,
Antananarivo (tel: 2222-330).
Institut National de Géodésie et
Cartographie/FTM, BP 323, Antananarivo
(tel: 2222-935).
Madagascan Embassy (US), 2374 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Wasghington DC
20008 (tel: 202-265-5525; fax:
202-265-3034; e-mail: [email protected]).
Société d’Etude et de Réalisation pour le
Développement Industriel, BP 3180,
Antananarivo (tel: 2221-335).
Syndicat de l’Industrie Hôteliére de Madagascar, BP 341, Antananarivo (tel:
2220-202).
Internet sites
Africa Business Network:
http://www.ifc.org/abn
African Development Bank:
http://www.afdb.org
Africa News Online:
http://www.allafrica.com
Africa Online:
http://www.africaonline.com
Harambee Afrika (UK business club for
traders with east, central and southern Africa; includes annotated web resource
list): http://www.harambee.co.uk
Mbendi AfroPaedia (information on companies, countries, industries and stock exchanges in Africa): http://mbendi.co.za
Office Militaire National pour les Industries Stratégiques (monitors major industrial projects), 21 Lalana
Razanakombana, Antananarivo.
921