JAPAN and the WORLD Magazine OCTOBER ISSUE 2015 #Issue 13 | Page 31

FRANCOPHONIE
MADAGASCAR
Japanese corporations, allowed both sides
to find concrete areas of cooperation and
investment in Madagascar.
Charge d’Affaires a.i. of Madagascar Rosette Rasoamanarivo (center) and her spouse Michael
Rajoharimanama (right) take part in a cake-cutting ceremony with Japanese State
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Daishiro Yamagiwa, during a reception to celebrate of
country’s the 55th Independence Day at the Embassy in Tokyo on June 26, 2015.
Credits: YOSHIAKI MIURA
Educational Institution Staff and Professional
Training) or support for French language and
French education (MAPEF) jointly worked out
by national authorities and French multilateral
cooperation. Their contribution to education is
a real success!
The Madagascar Action Plan was
implemented in 2007 based on eight
main commitments. After eight years,
what are the results?
Looking back on recent history, Madagascar
held a peaceful democratic election two
years ago, after five years of political and
civil unrest. Since January 2014, the
beautiful island of Madagascar has been
under the leadership of President Hery
Rajaonarimampianina, who was brought
to victory through democratic elections and
has now formed a legitimate government
as well as a new five-year term road map:
Le Plan National pour le Développement
(PND) or National Development Plan.
This PND, National Development Plan, set
up by the Government has a clear vision:
“to make Madagascar a prosperous and
modern nation, strong and transformed.”
The pillars of Madagascar’s development are
based on priority areas such as governance,
security, decentralization and the rule of law,
sustaining macroeconomic stability, inclusive
growth, human capacity development and the
sustainable development of natural resources.
Can you tell us about the bilateral
relations between Madagascar and
Japan? Thanks to its amazing nature,
JAPAN AND THE WORLD MAGAZINE
beautiful scenery and wildlife, the
awareness of Madagascar in Japan
is quite high. What are the key sectors
in which you would like to increase
potential partnerships?
The relations between Madagascar and
Japan are at an extremely healthy stage
and are intensifying. Several opportunities
for high-level exchanges occurred for both
sides recently. From the Japanese side, the
Official Visit of the President of the Japan
International Cooperation Agency, Dr.
Akihiko Tanaka, to Madagascar in January
was an important milestone to further
strengthen relations and trust between
the two countries. The financing of more
than $500 million for the “Toamasina Port
Development Project” on the east coast of
Madagascar through a yen-loan project will
be one of the biggest investments in the
country in cooperation with Japan.
The second Africa Japan
Ministerial Meeting for Natural
Resource Development
(JAMM2) held last May
has created a new level of
cooperation to incentivize
private investment for Africa
and Madagascar, in particular.
In addition, the visit of Dr. Daishiro
Yamagiwa, Japan’s Minister of Economy,
Trade and Industry, to Madagascar
in April, accompanied by a number of
From the Madagascar side, exchange
visits by high-level delegates conducted by
Madagascar’s Minister at the Presidency
in charge of Mining and Petrol to Japan in
partnership with the Information Center
for Petroleum Exploration and Production
(ICEP) and the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals
National Corporation (JOGMEG), were
very important occasions for sharing
information about Madagascar project
opportunities with the Japanese public
and private sectors. Additionally, the
second Africa Japan Ministerial Meeting
for
Natural
Resource
Development
(JAMM2) held in May has created a new
level of cooperation to incentivize private
investment for Africa and Madagascar, in
particular. These are all indicators that show
the relationship is strong and positioned for
further development in the future. Through
this cooperation, we seek to enhance the
partnership with the spirit of mutual interest
in mining, infrastructure, education,
fisheries and agriculture.
Furthermore, seven youth from Madagascar
have just arrived in Japan to follow the
program offered by ABE initiative (African
Business Education for Youth). Through
this study at master’s courses in Japanese
universities and internship experience at
Japanese companies, they will develop their
skills and knowledge in various fields to
contribute to the development of industry
on the beautiful island of Madagascar later.
Naturally, people-to-people relations are an
area that we wish to support and increase.
It is through such grassroots connections
that we can build long-lasting relations. In
this regard, the Madagascar Embassy in
Japan with Malagasy citizen in Japan and
Japanese associations’ partners will organize
together the 1st Madagascar Festival event
on October 25th, 2015 at Arisugawanomiya
Memorial Park, Tokyo, to connect with each
other and share culture.
It is inspiring to know that both Madagascar
and Japan are