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The Republic of Madagascar, population 18.6 million, is a large island nation approximately the size of Texas (229,000 sq. mi.) in the Indian Ocean off the eastern coast of continental Africa.  Its capital and largest city, Antananarivo, is located in the center of the country and has a population of 1.3 million.

Though U.S.- Madagascar relations date back to the mid-1800’s, political disruptions in the 1970s and more recently in 2002 strained traditionally warm relations.  However, with the resolution of the 2002 political crisis, Madagascar has actively sought to renew and strengthen ties with western nations and the United States.  The country has rejoined the African Union and has joined the Southern Africa Development Community.

Following the 2002 political crisis, the government attempted to set a new course and build confidence, in coordination with international financial institutions and the donor community. Madagascar developed a recovery plan in collaboration with the private sector and donors. Donor countries demonstrated their confidence in the new government by pledging $1 billion in assistance over five years. The Malagasy Government identified road infrastructure as its principle priority and underlined its commitment to public-private partnership by establishing a joint public-private sector steering committee.

The current government is aggressively seeking foreign investment and is tackling many of the obstacles to such investment, including combating corruption, reforming land-ownership laws, encouraging study of American and European business techniques, and active pursuit of foreign investors.

Principal imports include: foodstuffs, fuel and energy, capital goods, vehicles, consumer goods and electronics.

For more information on this or other trade and investment matters please contact us at:

Mr. Brian Neubert, Economic/Commercial Officer Email: neubertbt@N0SPAM.state.gov , Dovie Holland, Political/Economic/Commercial Section Chief, E-mail:HollandDA2@N0SPAM.state.gov

Mr. Anselme Jaorizky, Commerical/Economic Specialist, email: JaorizikyA2@N0SPAM.state.gov , 14 rue Rainitovo, Antsahola, Antananarivo 101, Tel: +(261) 20 22 212 73/209,  Fax: +(261) 20 22 345 39 www.usmission.mg

Support can also be provided by the U.S. Commercial Service South Africa. Please contact Senior Commercial Officer (SCO) Craig Allen via e-mail at Craig.Allen@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov or telephone at +27 11 778 4813 for additional information or other opportunities in Southern Africa