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Country Commercial Guides for FY 2000:
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CHAPTER IX: BUSINESS TRAVEL
BUSINESS CUSTOMS
Laws and common business practices are based on the European, particularly French business style.
TRAVEL ADVISORY AND VISAS
A visa is required for entry into Madagascar and can be obtained at the airport for stays of less than 30 days. It is no longer worth obtaining a visa from the Malagasy Embassy in Washington D.C. unless a longer stay is contemplated. Since December 1996, the procedures for obtaining tourist visas have been streamlined and simplified.
HOLIDAYS
- New Year's Day, January 1
- Day Commemorating Martyrs, March 29
- Easter and Easter Monday, April 4-5 (movable)
- Labor Day, May 1
- Ascension, May 13 (movable)
- Pentecost, May 23 (movable)
- Pentecost Monday, May 24 (movable)
- African Liberation Day, May 25
- Independence Day, June 26
- Assumption, August 15
- All Saints' Day, November 1
- Christmas, December 25
BUSINESS INFRASTRUCTURE
- Transportation
Problems with air, train and road transportation are described in Chapter II. Visitors to the capital city of Antananarivo or other cities can easily find taxis. Taxi fares are relatively low, but taxis typically do not meet U.S. safety standards (e.g. no seatbelts).
Rental cars are available but can be quite expensive depending on the vehicle type, and non-residents are usually required to hire a chauffeur. Air charters can be arranged to various destinations in the country.
- Language
French is the common language of business, though more and more businesspersons speak English.
- Communications
As noted previously, the telecommunications system is being modernized. There are now 5 television stations that broadcast in French and Malagasy. CNN is available at some hotels, via satellite. There are several radio stations broadcasting in Malagasy and French, with some English language programs.
- Housing
There are 6 hotels in Antananarivo that conform to U.S. standards: Hilton, Colbert, Ibis, Panorama, Mercure and Radama. Hotels in other areas of the country vary greatly in quality.
Short-term lease furnished flats are now offered by some companies in the capital.
- Health
Visitors to Madagascar are advised to obtain vaccinations against Polio, Hepatitis B (series of three shots), Yellow Fever and Typhoid. Malaria medication should be taken during the rainy season in Antananarivo (November through April) and at all times in coastal regions.
- Food
Local tapwater is not clean, and should be boiled and filtered before being drunk. Fresh fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly washed, preferably with iodine or chlorine, before being consumed. Meat and poultry should be cooked thoroughly. Restaurants are relatively inexpensive. Chinese and European cuisines are most common.
- Temporary entry of goods
Goods when not imported for sale may be admitted into the country without the payment of duty.
U.S. business travelers are encouraged to obtain a copy of the "Key officers of Foreign Service Posts: Guide for Business Representatives" available for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402; tel. (202) 512-1800; fax (202) 512-2250. Business travelers to Madagascar seeking appointments with U.S. Embassy Antananarivo officials should contact the commercial section in advance. The commercial section can be reached by telephone at (261 20) 22 212 57 or by fax at (261 20) 22 345 39.
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[end of document] Note* International Copyright, United States Government, 1999 (or other year of first publication). All rights under foreign copyright laws are reserved. All portions of this publication are protected against any type or form of reproduction, communications to the public and the preparation of adaptations, arrangement and alterations outside the United States. U. S. copyright is not asserted under the U.S. Copyright Law, Title17, United States Code.
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