Madagascar has gained significant ground in textile and apparel exports to the U.S. thanks to preferential access to the U.S. market under the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).  With global trade quotas set to expire in 2005, Madagascar sought to enhance the competitiveness of its sector and its attractiveness to foreign investment.

To address these issues, AIRD Vice President and Senior Economist Lynn Salinger worked with Madagascar’s textiles and clothing industries, its government, and USAID on an audit of the competitiveness of Madagascar’s cotton, textiles, and clothing industries. The audit was conducted as part of USAID’s Madagascar AGOA Jumpstart project, implemented by Nathan Associates. The audit’s goal was to increase public-private collaboration in the industry, attract increased foreign investment, and thereby contribute to enhanced final product exports to the U.S. under the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act.

Salinger’s recommendations for Madagascar can be found in the report below:

 Madagascar cotton-textile-garments competitiveness audit (2nd revision sent 101103).doc .