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.  It should be
obtained at the Malagasy Embassy in Washington D.C.

HOLIDAYS

     -New Year's Day, January 1
     -Day Commemorating Martyrs, March 29
     -Easter and Easter Monday
     -Labor Day, May 1
     -Ascension, 6th Thursday after Easter
     -Pentecost, 7th Sunday after Easter, and Pentecost Monday
     -OAU Day, May 25
     -Independence Day, June 26
     -Assumption, August 15
     -All Saint's Day, November 1
     -Christmas, December 25

BUSINESS INFRASTRUCTURE

Transportation: Problems with air transportation to Madagascar
and internal train and road transportation have already been
mentioned above.  Visitors to the capital city of Antananarivo or
other cities can easily find taxis.  Taxi fares are relatively
low.  Rental cars are available but are expensive and non-
residents are usually required to hire a company chauffeur.  Air
charters can be arranged to various destinations in the country.

Language: French is the common language of business, though more
and more businessmen can speak some English.

Communications:  As noted previously, the telecommunications
system is unreliable.  There is one local television station that
broadcasts in French and Malagasy, and transmits French evening
news live.  There are several radio stations broadcasting in
Malagasy and French, with some English language programs.  CNN is
available at some hotels, via satellite.

Housing:  There are three hotels in Antananarivo that are
comfortable by U.S. standards:  the Hilton, the Colbert and the
Radama.  Hotels in other areas of the country vary greatly in
quality.  Short-term lease furnished apartments are now offered
by three companies in the capital.

Health:  Visitors to Madagascar are advised to obtain
vaccinations against Polio, Hepatitis A, 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 tap water 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.
The Malagasy staple food is rice, often accompanied by a sauce
and meat. Restaurants are relatively inexpensive.  The more
expensive, the more reliable.  Chinese and European cuisine are
most common.