HE President Marc RAVALOMANANA addresses the African Union Summit (January 2008)
On the occasion of the African Union's summit of January 2008 in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, which was held under the theme "Industrial Development of Africa", the President of the Republic of Madagascar, HE Marc Ravalomanana delivered a short speech in which he stressed the need for Africa in general and for each individual African country to find their own most suitable way to development.
As example "Indian with its software centres has found a different way from the one taken by China, Indonesia, Brazil, and Argentina" he said. Every country should focus on their strengths and advantages, which should not be limited to cheap labour.
Talking about investments, HE Marc Ravalomanana stressed the importance of local investments as important as Foreign Direct Investment.
Speaking about the role of the State the President recalls, taking developed countries as an example, that " without the support of the State, the Private sector cannot thrive". It is for the State to lay foundation for development, by building schools, universities, roads, putting in place institutional and legal means encouraging and protecting investments.
About the importance of peace and stability he said " if we want Africa to change its destiny we must establish peace, stability, continuity, efficacy, discipline, good governance, and professionalism in our country".
And about Madagascar he said that" We, in Madagascar, we try to follow all these rules. We try to find our own way. Our way is defined by our vision, "Madagascar, naturally". Our vision is to take advantage of our nature, of our biodiversity and of our cultural variety. We want to stop exploiting wrongly nature. We want to add value to nature. We see great opportunities with the new developments of biotechnology, agri business, renewable energies and tourism.
"All that is detailed in the MAP, Madagascar Action Plan, the action Plan for Madagascar. "
(Source:The Secretariat with the Communication)
