IX.  Business Travel

Business Customs:

Malians emphasize courtesy.  Discussions should begin with an
extensive exchange of pleasantries.  Most Malians are Muslim and
most do not drink alcohol, smoke or eat pork, although they
usually do not object to foreigners doing so.

Travel advisory and visas:

U.S. travelers to Mali must obtain a visa in advance from a
Malian embassy or consulate.  Banditry in northern Mali near the
Mauritanian, Algerian and Nigerian borders makes it
nadvisable to travel overland to those areas.  Violence against
foreigners is otherwise rare in Mali.  Visitors should encounter
no security problems other than petty theft within urban areas
but they should check with the state department or U.S. Embassy
Bamako's consular section for travel advisory changes.

Holidays in Mali:

January 1 - New Year's Day; January 20 - Army Day; March 14
(approximate) - Ramadan; March 26 - Day of Democracy; April 4
(approximate) - Easter Monday; May 1 - International Labor Day;
May 21 (approximate) - Tabaski; May 25 - Day of Africa; August 21
(approximate) - Mawloud; August 28 (approximate) - Prophet's
Baptism; September 22 - Independence Day; December 25 -
Christmas. (Dates listed as approximate, other than Easter, are
Muslim holidays based on the lunar calendar and therefore subject
to one or two days variation from the date given.)

Business Infrastructure:

Transportation:  Taxis are common and cheap in Bamako, but hard
to find elsewhere.  "Baches" are typically overloaded pickup
trucks which have been converted to carry passengers and are
common in urban centers but not recommended for use by visitors.
Limited intra- and inter-urban bus service is available.  The
train to Dakar takes 36 hours.  Air travel is recommended for
travel to remote destinations such as Tombouctou or Gao.

Language:  Knowledge of French is very useful.  Commercial
interpreter and translation services are available if required.
Visitors may contact the U.S. Embassy for recommendations.

Communications:  Local and long-distance telephone, fax and telex
service is available in Bamako and other cities but the number of
lines is limited.  International mail is slow and not wholly
reliable.  Private express mail services including DHL operate in
Bamako.

Housing: There are no top-class hotels in Mali but adequate
lodging is available in most urban areas.  Rates range up to U.S.
dollars 100 a day.  Longer term visitors can lease acceptable
housing.

Health:  Visitors to Mali who take adequate precautions generally
do not suffer from health problems other than occasionally upset
digestive systems.  Malaria prophylaxis is essential.  Visitors
should ensure that recommended inoculations are up to date.

Food:  The Malian diet is based on rice, millet and sorghum,
served with meat, fish and various sauces.  French, Vietnamese,
Chinese, Indian, Russian and Lebanese restaurants are also
located in Bamako and other cities.