Debt - external: $4.4 billion (1999)
Economic aid - recipient: $838 million (1997)
Currency: Malagasy franc (MGF)
Currency code: MGF
Exchange rates: Malagasy francs per US dollar - 6,656.3 (November 2000), 6,283.8 (1999), 5,441.4 (1998), 5,090.9 (1997), 4,061.3 (1996)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Madagascar Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 43,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 4,000 (1997)
Telephone system: general assessment: system is above average for the region