On Friday April 12, the Iavoloha State Palace hosted a meeting between the private sector and the Malagasy President, Andry Rajoelina. This is the first meeting since the Madagascar Business Group (GEM) elected a new president at the end of March.
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With our correspondent in Antananarivo, Pauline Le Troquier
This meeting is an opportunity, for both parties, in a context of revival of the Malagasy economy, to put key issues back on the table, but also to demonstrate a relationship of trust for the months to come. “ We don’t intend to stop there », immediately warns Francis Rabarijaona, just elected head of the GEM on March 21.
This first meeting was first intended to establish a favorable climate between the State and representatives of the private sector. Emergency requests were also made to the president Andry Rajoelinasuch as the extension of preferential electricity rates from which certain so-called “ sensitive “. A request that has so far remained unanswered. But the president of the group is delighted to have obtained other commitments.
“ The president reassured us on certain points, namely the strengthening of the fleet of the national company Madagascar Airlines before the high season ; the imminent launch of the major hydroelectric projects that we know ; and that calls for tenders have already been launched for the urgent rehabilitation of national roads, the RN2 and the RN7 as a priority, because these are the major economic axes “, he stressed.
These requests are not made for the first time. In recent years, the GEM has never been able to get decision-makers to make them happen. If its president appears optimistic, for Rado Ratobisaona, economist, trust between the private sector and the State must still be reestablished, given the business climate which is penalizing for many companies.
“ Let’s put everyone on an equal footing in the exercise of their commercial and industrial functions. We no longer need preferential treatment for the benefit of a few companies in certain sectors of activity. This is the starting point for moving forward in this quest for the economic recovery of our country. “, he emphasizes.
For its part, the GEM hopes to breathe new life into its relationship with decision-makers through its new configuration. First change in form only: at the end of their meeting, the Head of State and the private sector agreed to exchange at a more sustained pace, during face-to-face meetings every two months.
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