Madagascar

Madagascar was one of the three IF pilot countries. Activities were initiated in July 2001 but were later suspended due to an unfavourable political climate during much of 2002.

At the request of the government, it was decided in October 2002 to resume the process. During a special mission in February 2003, it was decided to update the DTIS (pdf - 790k), emphasizing regional trade arrangements and agriculture.

The main issues of the DTIS were the following: Economic background, trade policy and market access, developments in the primary sector, lessons from case studies in the manufacturing sector, tourism, trade support infrastructure, pro-poor trade strategy, action matrix.

The National Workshop took place on July 17, 2003. As indicated in the report of the workshop (French, pdf - 55k), discussions focused on: Investment climate and credits, agricultural diversification, cotton industry, trade reform (tariffs, customs, negotiating capacity and market access), strengthening competitive advantages, emerging sectors. The government approved the DTIS in September 2003.

Two donor meetings were organized in January and May 2004. The donors asked the Government to prepare detailed project proposals for a number of priority areas for the next meeting. The World Bank prepared a TA proposal for Enhancing Trade Capacity in Madagascar, which was financed under Window II.

Madagascar joined SADC in 2005. A study on the impact of Madagascar’s membership to SADC was prepared by consultants under Window II funding.

A number of DTIS recommendations (export development, services, WTO, regional integration) were included in the 2003 PRSP. Trade issues are also mainstreamed in sectoral policy strategies.

The World Bank is the IF Facilitator and assisted the government in preparing an inventory of ongoing and planned donor assistance in the trade area.

In Madagascar, the IF has provided a strong impetus to trade reforms, which focused on the reduction, simplification and consolidation of taxes and duties.

Further measures led to a significant decrease in customs clearance time.

The World Bank provides assistance for EPA negotiations in the COMESA context.

Two Window II projects were launched:

• Enhancement of trade capacity
• Export development support
  

Preparations for a trade basket fund are under way.

IF Focal Point	Mr. Moïse André Randrianarimanana Coordonnateur - IF Point Focal Ministère de l'Economie, du Plan,    du Secteur Privé et du Commerce B.P. 527, 2ème Etage, Porte A.24 Immeuble ARO Ampefiloha I 101 Antananarivo, Madagascar Tel.: +261 33 11 46 688 Tel.: +261 20 33 31 016/ 20 22 37 941 Fax: +261 22 25 653 Mr. Alain Liva Raharijaona Expert National Tel.: +261 20 22 31 610 Cell: +261 32 07 81 524 Mr. Freddie Mahazoasy Directeur Général du Secteur Privé et    du Commerce du MEPSPC Mr. Henri Michel Tsimisanda Consultant du Développement Cell: +261 32 02 27 096
IF Donor Facilitator	Ms. Ellena Rabeson Banque Mondiale B.P. 4140 Antananarivo 101, Madagascar Tel.: +261 20 22 56 000
World Bank Contact	Mr. Ian Gillson
UNDP Contact	Mr. Corneille Agossou Ms. Hasina Ramarson Programme Officer UNDP Antananarivo Tel.: +261 20 23 26 650 Fax: +261 20 23 36 794
Aide Mémoire
Concept Paper
Diagnostic Trade Integration Study	DTIS (pdf - 790k)
Action Matrix	Action Matrix (pdf - 30k)
Date of Workshop	17 July 2003
Implementation Meeting	January 2004
Approved Window II Projects	00041109 (pdf - 54k)
Monitoring Matrix	Monitoring Matrix (pdf - 44k)
EIF Correspondence	In-country preparations for the EIF

Page last updated on 20 May 2008