The Republic of Madagascar

The country of Madagascar is an island situated 400 km off the east coast of Africa, separated from the mainland by the Mozambique Channel. It is the fourth large island, stretching 1,580 km from north to south and 600 km from east to west, with a coastline of about 5,000 km. The topography is varied; hilly in the north and in the central part of the island (high plateaus with altitude between 1,200 and 1,500 metres) and plains in the east, west and south.

There are two major seasons in Madagascar. Summer is hot and rainy, and extends from October/November to March/April with temperatures ranging between 13 and 30 degrees Celsius. The winter season is cold and dry, from March/April to September/October, and has temperatures between 0 to 10 degrees Celsius.

The population of Madagascar is estimated at 20.696 million (latest census), and is divided into six provinces namely, Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, and Toliary. French is the official language, while Malagasy is the national language. Madagascar became independent on 26 June, 1960. Antananarivo is both the administrative and commercial capital of the country; Fianarantsoa is another main centre providing for transportation of products to Tuléar in the southern part of the island. The president is the Head of State.

Agriculture contributes about 14 % of the GDP and within the agriculture sector, food producing cultivation constitutes 98 %, of which rice is 44 %, cassava and potato are 14% each, and maize is 9 %. Traditionally Madagascar is a producer of tea and coffee but with low market prices this industry has declined over the years. Madagascar is a key producer of fish, contributing sales of crabs, prawns, mussels and other seafood to the economy. Other contributors to the economy include industries focused on the areas of processing of meat and seafood, soap, brewery products, tanneries, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly, paper and petroleum. Madagascar’s mineral potential is underexploited, yet it is perceived a key sector that can play an important role in the development of the country.

The main tourist attractions in Madagascar are Ambohimanga, Montagne d’Ambre National Park, Andasibe, Antsirabe, Isalo, Nosy Be, Nosy Boraha, Taolanaro, Taomasina and Toliary. The capital, Antananarivo, is a city built on a Y-shaped granite mountain surrounded by rice fields. Its main sights include the royal fort, which houses a historical museum of the ancient Malagasy kings and queens, Zoma the largest open air market in the world, and Tsimbazaza a botanical and zoological garden with various specimens of Malagasy flora and fauna. Madagascar is world famous for its natural beauty, richness in biodiversity and preserved cultural heritage. The country is home to 5 % of the world’s plant and animal species, 80 % of which are unique to Madagascar. Among its most notable examples of biodiversity are the lemur family of primates, three endemic bird families and its famous baobab trees.

Country Profile

Titles Information
Head of State H. E. RAJOELINA Andry Nirina
Head of Government  (if applicable) NTSAY Christian
Capital City Antananarivo
Independence Day 26 June 1960
Official Languages Malagasy and French
Currency Malagasy ariary (MGA ) 1 MG = 100 centimes
Area/Size of country (km²) 587,295
Natural resources Graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, rare earth elements, salt, quartz, oil sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish, hydropower
Government website link www.presidence.gov.mg
www.primature.gov.mg
Statistical indicators

MINISTRY RESPONSIBLE FOR COMESA AFFAIRS

NAME of COMESA National Contact Point: Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Handcraft

Permanent Secretary: Mr. RAHARIJAONA Fabrice Marie
Tel: +261 20 26 361 11
Fax:

Email: sp@mcc.gov.mg
Website:
http://www.mica.gov.mg / http://www.commerce.gov.mg/  

PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO COMESA: None, coordination by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Permanent Secretary: Mr. RATSIMANDAO Tahirimiakadaza
Address: 1, rue Andriamifidy, Anosy Antananarivo 101 MADAGASCAR
Tel: +261 20 22 344 84
Fax:

Email: info-web@diplomatie.gov.mg
Website:
http://www.diplomatie.gov.mg

 Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Name of institution in-charge: Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Madagascar (FCCIM)

Address : Lot IVR 42 Immeuble Conquête Antanimena
Tel: +261 20 22 213 22
Fax:
E-mail: federation@cci-madagascar.org
Website: https://fccimadagascar.wordpress.comhttps://www.cci.mg

Manufacturing Associations

Name of institution in-charge: Alliance for Sustainable Industrialization in Madagascar
Address:
Tel:
Fax:
E-mail:
Website: http://www.alliance-industrialisation.mg/

Name of institution in-charge: Groupement des Entreprises de Madagascar (GEM)
Address: Kianja MDRM sy Tia Tanindrazana, Ambohijatovo, BP 1338 101, Antananarivo
Tel: +261 20 22 238 41
Fax: +261 20 22 219 65
E-mail: gem@iris.mg
Website: http://www.alliance-industrialisation.mg/

Export Promotion Board

Name of institution in-charge: Economic Development Board of Madagascar (EDBM)
Address : Immeuble EDBM, Avenue Gal Gabriel RAMANANTSOA  Antaninarenina

Tel: +261 20 22 670 40 / +261 20 22 681 21
Fax:
E-mail: edbm@edbm.mg
Website: http://www.edbm.mg

Investment Centre

Name of institution in-charge: Economic Development Board of Madagascar (EDBM)
Address : Immeuble EDBM, Avenue Gal Gabriel RAMANANTSOA  Antaninarenina
Tel: +261 20 22 670 40 / +261 20 22 681 21
Fax:
E-mail: edbm@edbm.mg
Website: http://www.edbm.mg

Travel/Tourism

Name of institution in-charge: Ministry of Transport, Tourism and Meteorology

Address : 23, rue Fernand Kasanga Tsimbazaza – 101 Antananarivo Madagascar
Tel:
Fax:
E-mail: contact@tourisme.gov.mg
Website: http://www.tourisme.gov.mg/

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