Madagascar and the United Arab Emirates strengthen their privileged ties and enter a new era of bilateral cooperation
A large delegation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) visited Antananarivo today to take part in the first edition of the Government Experience Exchange Program (GEEP) Forum. The forum, inaugurated by H.E.M. Andry RAJOELINA, President of the Republic of Madagascar, brought together the entire Malagasy government at the Presidential Palace. Several bilateral workshops were organized on the sidelines of the Forum. The Emirati delegation, comprising some twenty members, was led by H.E. Abdulla Nasser LOOTAH, Vice-Minister of State for Competitiveness and Trade.
Ties between the United Arab Emirates and Madagascar continued to strengthen in 2024:
In May 2024, the President of the Republic of Madagascar was the guest of honor at the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) Summit in Abu Dhabi. The President invited the Emirati investment community to explore the many investment opportunities available in Madagascar and to contribute to its sustainable economic development.
In September 2024, the airline company Emirates opened its first route linking Dubai to Antananarivo with a frequency of 4 flights a week. With a particularly high load factor less than a month after the route opened, a fifth weekly flight is about to be introduced.
In October 2024, the Republic of Madagascar also welcomed a delegation from the EMAAR group, headed by its founder and CEO, Mr. ALABBAR, which identified a need for additional tourist accommodation capacity estimated at 11,500 rooms throughout the Malagasy territory.
Today, the Government Experience Exchange Program Forum completes this dynamic of exchanges in strategic, value-creating sectors: renewable energies, agricultural transformation, education, sustainable tourism development, improving government services and efficiency, technology and innovation.
In his opening address, H.E. Andry RAJOELINA, President of the Republic of Madagascar, said: “The United Arab Emirates embody a model of global economic development. The transformation of a desert into a global economic metropolis in just a few decades proves that, with vision and hard work, you can turn a dream into reality. We need strong partnerships with the United Arab Emirates if Madagascar is to become a showcase for African development. This Forum is already enabling Madagascar to benefit from best practices in public services, technology and public policy development“.
H.E Abdulla Nasser LOOTAH, Deputy Minister of State for Competitiveness and Trade, added: “Madagascar is one of the most strategic countries for the exchange program initiated by the United Arab Emirates. This partnership with Madagascar aims to create a beneficial dialogue between our two nations, and we are firmly committed to participating in the transformation of key sectors of Madagascar’s economy. This forum is a unique platform to share and learn from each other“.
Following presentations by members of the Emirati delegation, workshops were held on the subjects of government competitiveness, efficient public services and strengthening community development.