Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ANTANANARIVO227
2007-03-08 06:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Antananarivo
Cable title:  

President's 2007 Report on AGOA - Madagascar

Tags:  ETRD AGOA ECON PGOV MA 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0007
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAN #0227/01 0670656
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 080656Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4443
UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000227 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/E MBEYZEROZ
STATE PASS TO USTR FLISER AND PCOLEMAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD AGOA ECON PGOV MA
SUBJECT: President's 2007 Report on AGOA - Madagascar

REF. STATE 22438

UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000227

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/E MBEYZEROZ
STATE PASS TO USTR FLISER AND PCOLEMAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD AGOA ECON PGOV MA
SUBJECT: President's 2007 Report on AGOA - Madagascar

REF. STATE 22438


1. Per reftel, Post provides the following input on Madagascar for
the President's 2007 Report on AGOA.

MARKET ECONOMY/ECONOMIC REFORM/ELIMINATION OF BARRIERS
-------------- --------------


2. Madagascar continues to implement its program of macro-economic
and structural reforms, including fiscal reforms and privatization
of state-owned companies under the guidance of the World Bank and
the IMF. In 2007, Madagascar's MCC Scorecard for "Economic Freedom"
is passing in four of six categories. Inflation improved at the end
of 2006 but remains above year-on-year targets, and by most accounts
fiscal management remains inadequate. In mid-2006 Madagascar signed
on to a new IMF Program and is thus benefiting from substantial
technical assistance to improve these indicators. Several U.S.
Treasury Advisor missions were completed in 2006 to build capacity
in these areas of weakness; a Budget Resident has worked in the
Finance Ministry since February. The Export Processing Zone (EPZ),
mainly in the textile and apparel sector, is a main source of
foreign direct investment. The December 12, 2006 extension of the
third-country fabric provision of AGOA breathed new life into
Madagascar's apparel sector; a production increase of at least 20
percent is expected for 2007. Large-scale private foreign investment
is occurring in the mining and petroleum sectors. The GOM created
the Economic Development Board - Madagascar (EDB-M) in 2006 to
promote trade and facilitate investment. The GOM has taken
significant steps to liberalize trade and there are no specific
barriers to U.S. trade and investment. The difficulties of the U.S.
Seaboard Corporation in Madagascar since entering a partnership to
operate wheat milling facilities are noteworthy. During 2006,
Malagasy government authorities did not adequately communicate with
Seaboard representatives to address their concerns. Madagascar is a
member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and is
a signatory to the WTO TRIPS agreement on trade-related aspects of
intellectual property. Two government offices share responsibility

for the protection of intellectual property rights. Enforcement of
intellectual property rights is limited by a shortage of trained
personnel, legal capacity and resources.

Political Pluralism/Rule of Law/Anti-corruption
-------------- --


3. The GOM continues to post a positive record on the rule of law,
political pluralism, and the safeguarding of due process rights. By
all accounts of national and international observers, the December
3, 2006 presidential election was free, fair, and transparent.
BIANCO, the independent anti-corruption office, continues to tackle
the long term challenge of overcoming a culture of corruption. The
fight against graft and an insistence on integrity remain top
presidential priorities. As the first country to sign a compact
with the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation, Madagascar has a
specific incentive to increase transparency and accountability.

Poverty reduction
--------------


4. The GOM inaugurated a new development policy in 2006 called the
Madagascar Action Plan (MAP) which replaces the Poverty Reduction
Strategy Paper (PRSP). Donors and partners endorse the objectives
and overall strategies of the MAP, while qualifying it as very
ambitious. Madagascar qualified for debt reduction under the Highly
Indebted Poor Countries Initiative in 2004 and the Multilateral Debt
Relief Initiative in 2005. The GOM committed to allocate the
resources freed by debt relief to priority areas such as health,
education, roads, and direct support to communities.


Human rights
--------------


5. The Government generally respected the human rights of its
citizens; however, there were problems in some areas. Prison
conditions were harsh and life threatening. Suspects often were
held for periods that exceeded the maximum sentence for the alleged
offenses, and lengthy pretrial detention remained a serious problem.
Some government officials limited freedom of speech and of the
press, and journalists practiced self-censorship. Women continued to
face some societal discrimination, and child labor, including forced
labor, is a problem. There were reports of trafficking in women and
girls. During the year, the Government took major steps to combat
trafficking and child labor.

Labor
--------------


6. The Constitution of Madagascar and the Labor Code grant workers
in the private and public sectors the right to establish and join
labor unions, and to bargain collectively. Madagascar is a member
of the International Labor Organization and regularly attends ILO
conferences. Unions freely join and participate in international
bodies and may form federations. Discrimination against union
organizers is prohibited but enforcement of labor regulations is
hampered by lack of government resources, particularly in EPZs.

Child Labor
--------------


7. Madagascar continues to make progress in implementing its
commitments under international child labor conventions. In June
2004, the GOM increased the minimum age for employment from 14 to 15
and provided substantial increases in fines from those who violate
child labor laws. In 2000, Madagascar signed the ILO Convention on
the minimum age for industrial work, and the ILO Convention 182
against the worst forms of child labor in 2001.

AGOA Outreach/Technical assistance
--------------


8. The Mission, through its Economic and Commercial Section and
USAID, assists the Malagasy administration (customs, trade, and
industry departments),EPZ companies and businesses on AGOA issues.
In February, an advisor from the East and Central Africa Global
Competitiveness Hub helped three Malagasy-owned factories prepare
for the Magic Trade Show in Las Vegas. The same consultant traveled
to the show with the producers to assist in their contacts with
prospective buyers. The February visit of AUSTR Liser brought into
sharp focus the opportunities within apparel after the December 12
extension, but also in other AGOA product categories. The quarterly
commercial bulletin published by the Commercial Section sensitizes
the business community on AGOA and trade issues.


MCGEE