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See also:
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This second Trade Policy Review of Madagascar has allowed us to
significantly improve our understanding of its trade and related
policies, and their evolution since its previous Review in 2001. Our
discussions have greatly benefited from the participation of Mr.
Razafimahefa, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, and his
delegation. Our thanks are also due to our discussant, H.E. M.
Mohammed Loulichki, for his thoughtful and stimulating contribution,
as well as those of many delegations.
Members commended Madagascar on its impressive economic performance
since 2002, with high real GDP growth rates and decreasing inflation.
They expressed the hope that continued economic performance help
reduce poverty. A least-developed country, Madagascar had benefited
from comprehensive multilateral debt reduction and substantial donor
support. It had liberalized trade by reducing the simple average
tariff, eliminating mandatory pre-shipment inspection and other taxes
on imports; customs procedures had been streamlined. Madagascar’s open
skies policy had greatly expanded the supply of air transport services
and helped revitalize tourism. Madagascar participated in regional
integration through its memberships in COMESA and SADC, enjoyed
preferential access to the EC market under the EBA Initiative and the
Cotonou Agreement, and to the markets of other trading partners,
including the US under AGOA LDC provisions. Madagascar was finalizing
its negotiations on an Economic Partnership Agreement with the EC.
Members encouraged Madagascar to improve the transparency of its
regime on trade and related policies by making key notifications on,
inter alia, customs valuation, licensing procedures, and on
restrictions maintained on SPS and TBT grounds. They urged Madagascar
to comply with the national treatment principle with respect to excise
duties on tobacco products and alcoholic beverages, and to fully align
its regime on intellectual property rights on the relevant WTO
provisions. The tax regime could be improved if ad hoc exemptions were
reduced. Madagascar was encouraged to fully implement its new
competition regime and to become an observer to the Plurilateral
Agreement on Public Procurement.
Members enquired of plans to restructure the state-owned enterprise in
the power sector with a view to attracting investment by independent
producers. Madagascar was asked to clarify the state of its fishery
resources and the measures being taken to manage them on a sustainable
basis. Further information was sought on the investment regime, and on
tourism services. Other issues of interest to Members included the
regimes for business-related professional services and for express
postal services; plans for expanding rice production and exports; and
policies under consideration to sustain exports and reduce the trade
deficit.
Members appreciated the responses provided by the delegation of
Madagascar, and look forward to receiving written answers to any
outstanding questions.
In conclusion, Members commended Madagascar on its participation in
the multilateral trading system. They congratulated it on its
commitment to trade reform and encouraged further steps to enhance the
transparency and predictability of its trade regime, and adherence to
WTO principles. Members urged Madagascar to improve its multilateral
commitments on goods and services, notably by expanding their scope to
more non-agricultural goods and to telecommunication and maritime
transport services, as well as by lowering bound rates. Members could
help by keeping their markets open to products and services of
interest to Madagascar, and by providing technical assistance.
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