Statement by China at the WTO Fourth Trade Policy Review of MADAGASCAR

（12th February 2025）

Thank you, Chair.

Good morning, colleagues.

First of all, I would like to warmly welcome the delegation of Madagascar led by Her Excellency, Secretary General Priscilla ANDRIANARIVO, for their fourth Trade Policy Review today. I also express appreciation to the WTO Secretariat for the reports prepared, as well as to the discussant, Ambassador Ms. Clara DELGADO JESUS, for the excellent framing of the issues for our discussion today.

Chair,

As indicated in the reports of the Government of Madagascar and the WTO Secretariat, with its diverse climates and landscapes, rich biodiversity, and natural resources, a young and growing population, and a strategic geographical position, Madagascar has strong potential for economic and social development. This is evident in its steady recovery and poverty reduction before the pandemic, with promising growth projected beyond 2024, despite facing severe headwinds from multiple crises between 2019 and 2023.

Yet, we have to acknowledge that the foundation for recovery remains fragile. Inadequate infrastructure, especially roads and the electrical grid, along with other constraints, continues to pose significant challenges to development. That said, we commend the efforts of the Madagascar Government to boost substantial potential in its cash crops, mining, tourism and textile industry. China encourages Madagascar to fully harness this potential by maintaining its commitment to regional integration, ongoing economic liberalisation, and promotion of industrialisation.

As a founding member of the WTO, Madagascar has always supported the rule-based multilateral trading system. During the review period, Madagascar notified a range of laws and regulations to the WTO, ratified the Agreement on Trade Facilitation in 2016, ratified the Protocol Amending the TRIPS Agreement in 2017 and actively participated in the MC13.

We also notice that, as a member of the LDC group, G33, the African Group, and the ACP, Madagascar has actively engaged in WTO negotiations and discussions, including the dialogue on Plastic Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade, the Structured Discussion on Trade and Environmental Sustainability, and others. China commends all these efforts and encourages Madagascar to continue its active participation in WTO affairs, including the early rectify the WTO Agreement on Fishery Subsidies, joining the JSI on Services Domestic Regulation and the Investment Facilitation Agreement for Development.

Chair,

There is a Malagasy proverb that says, “Growing rice is not easy; only through cooperation can there be a harvest.” It not only vividly describes the hybrid rice cooperation between China and Madagascar, but also serves as a symbol of our sound and mutual trust bilateral relationship and friendship.

 As early as the 13th and 14th centuries, the two people were connected by the Maritime Silk Road. It has been continuously further consolidated and developed since the diplomatic ties were built in 1972. Madagascar is one of the first African countries to join the Belt and Road Initiative, and the cooperation under this has yielded fruitful results. A series of infrastructure projects have been implemented that boost local development and livelihood. Last September, President Rajoelina made an official visit to China. The bilateral relations were elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

In the field of economy and trade, China has remained Madagascar’s largest trading partner for the ninth consecutive year and a key source of foreign investment. China announced zero-tariff treatment for 100% tariff lines for LDCs having diplomatic ties with China, including Madagascar, last September. This concrete treatment, effective from December 1st，2024, aiming to expand unilateral opening to all the LDCs, will not only boost Madagascar’s export to China but also achieve common development. Looking forward, China believes that economic and trade cooperation between both countries enjoys a broad prospect.   

We appreciate Madagascar’s timely response to our written question and will study it carefully.

In closing, China wishes the delegation of Madagascar success in this Trade Policy Review.

Thank you, Chair.

China's statement on Day 2 of the WTO Fourth Trade Policy Review of MADAGASCAR

（14th February 2025）

Thanks Chair

China appreciates the statements delivered by HE Ambassador Djacoba and the great efforts made by the delegation of Madagascar in this TPR. Our thanks also go to the whole of Madagascar's Permanent Mission. We would also like to thank the discussant, Ambassador Clara, for her insightful observations on Wednesday and today.

The constructive discussions in this TPR have enhanced our understanding of Madagascar's economic and trade regime. We highly commend the resilience and persistence Madagascar has shown during the review period and look forward to its robust recovery and continued development in the future.

As highlighted by a number of delegations, Madagascar has committed itself to the multilateral trading system and has actively participated in various activities in the WTO. We highly appreciate these efforts, and calls for Madagascar’s joint efforts uphold the rules-based multilateral trading system at this critical time, including to rectify the Fish I agreement, join the IFD, e-commerce and other JSI initiatives, and work closely with other members to restore the dispute settlement function of the WTO as early as possible.

We are glad to see the latest progress. We are committed to further enhancing our economic and trade ties at bilateral, plurilateral, and multilateral levels and to achieving more fruitful outcomes in the near future.

To conclude, we congratulate Madagascar on a successful TPR.