Ravinala Airports Invests 23,5 million euros
The Ivato airport manager (Antananarivo) and from Fascene (Nosy Be) Announces an investment of 23,5 million euros to modernize the two infrastructures. To Antananarivo, Ravsala Airports, whose ADP group is a shareholder, invested 12,5 million euros, mainly to renovate the slopes and aircraft car parks. The work started at the start of the year and will continue until September. Aircraft renovation work reserved for interior flights are also scheduled to increase its capacity. In Nosy Be, 10 million euros will be injected into the expansion of passenger and buildings intended for freight.
Decrease shrimp exports
The Malagasy Ministry of Fisheries and the Blue Economy published in early March the results of the shrimp sector for 2024 : 26,$ 6 million in revenue, down 18 % compared to the previous year. Exported volumes fell 17 % last year. Main fishery export product of Madagascar, The shrimp reported to the state the equivalent of 2,$ 6 million in the form of fees paid by fishing weapons.
"Insufficient and unequal growth", according to the World Bank
A World Bank conjuncture note presented at the end of February qualifies the Malagasy growth "insufficient and unequal to improve the standard of living" of the population. The donor once again highlights the low productivity of the national economy, which slows down its development. "To remedy it, It is essential to guarantee reliable energy, effective infrastructure and better connectivity ”, estimates the World Bank. The note points to "access limited to funding, unreliable public services, insufficient infrastructure and persistent political instability ”.
Rio Tinto finances the rehabilitation of the RN 13
The dilapidation of the RN 13, which connects Ihosy to Fort- Dolphin on almost 500 km, is the main cause of the areas of the south of the Big Island. Rehabilitation works have been launched three years ago and will last several years. Rio Tinto, The Anglo-Australian mining group which exploits the Fort-Dauphin ilménite deposit via its subsidiary Qit Madagascar Minerals, will contribute to it up to $ 8 million, supplemented by 12 million dividends paid to the Malagasy state and which will be assigned to the site.
The port of Majunga soon rehabilitated
Thanks to a donation from the World Bank and a loan granted by its subsidiary, The International Development Association, The port of Majunga must soon be rehabilitated. Located on the mouth of the Betsiboka river, south of the city, The infrastructure offers an insufficient water draft to allow the accosting of large boats, which must disembark their cargo offshore, On barges. Its quays are also in poor condition. At 5,3 million dollars, The site which must last a year has been entrusted to the Chinese company China Road and Bridge Corporation.
Vanilla insufficiently valued locally
A higher level of local transformation of vanilla pods would generate more added value, indicates a recent report by the World Trade Organization. Madagascar is the world's leading vanilla producer (About 70 % of total production), and 90 % of its exports are made in the form of pods, Vanilla extract representing only 10 %. The WTO recommends developing local extraction of aromas to improve income from the sector.
Massive import oil imports
Food oil imports jumped at the start of the year in Madagascar, reinforcing fears about the future of national production. Imports from Argentina, of Egypt or Malaysia pushed the few refining factories on the big island to stop, With the exception of that of Tamatave. In July 2024, National producers had sent a request to the World Trade Organization to alert the situation and request protection measures.
Protected areas appeal to tourists
Madagascar National Parks announces that it has welcomed 216,000 tourists in its protected areas in 2024, including 67 % foreigners. Almost half of the outdoor visitors on the big island thus surveyed at least one of these natural areas. The most numerous were the French, in front of the Italians, the Germans, The English and the Americans. The five most visited areas are Nosy Tanikely, An island off Nosy Be, Analamazorara près de Moramanga, The Ruiniform massifs of the Isalo, Ranomafana, World Heritage Site, that bemahara, Renowned for the beauty of its tsingy.
