International organization participation:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt
(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM,
OIF, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Rajaonarivony NARISOA
chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525, 5526
FAX: [1] (202) 265-3034
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador James D. MCGEE
embassy: 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo 101
mailing address: B. P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo
telephone: [261] (20) 22-212-57, 22-212-73, 22-209-56
FAX: [261] (20) 22-345-39
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical
white band of the same width on hoist side
Economy Madagascar
Economy - overview:
Having discarded past socialist economic policies, Madagascar has
since the mid 1990s followed a World Bank- and IMF-led policy of
privatization and liberalization. This strategy placed the country
on a slow and steady growth path from an extremely low level.
Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is a mainstay of the
economy, accounting for more than one-fourth of GDP and employing
80% of the population. Exports of apparel have boomed in recent
years primarily due to duty-free access to the United States.
Deforestation and erosion, aggravated by the use of firewood as the
primary source of fuel, are serious concerns. President RAVALOMANANA
has worked aggressively to revive the economy following the 2002
political crisis, which triggered a 12% drop in GDP that year.
Poverty reduction and combating corruption will be the centerpieces
of economic policy for the next few years.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$16.05 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$4.719 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5.1% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$900 (2005 est.)