WT/MIN(24)/ST/93  
26 February  2024 
(24-1603) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Thirteenth Session  
Abu Dhabi, 26 -29 February  2024  Original:  French  
 
  
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR EDGARD RAZAFINDRAVAHY  
MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIALI ZATION AND TRADE  
MADAGASCAR  
Allow me at the outset to express, on behalf of His Excellency Mr  Andry  Rajoelina, President of the 
Republic of Madagascar, and on behalf of the entire Government of Madagascar, my deep 
appreciation for the successful organization of the Thirteenth Ministerial Conference of the 
World  Trade  Organization.  
 
I would also like to congratulate His  Excellency  Mr Thani  bin Ahmed  Al Zeyoudi and the Gov ernment 
of the United Arab Emirates for the warm welcome and hospitality that we have received since we 
arrived in this beautiful country.  
 
My delegation endorses the statements by the Group of Least Developed Countries, the 
African  Group, the ACP Group, the G33 and the G90.  
 
Madagascar recently held free, democratic and transparent elections, and opted for continuity and 
stability. The recently adopted General State Policy rests on three pillars: human capital; 
industrialization and economic transformati on; and governance and the rule of law. By the same 
token , the Government prioritizes poverty alleviation and enhancing purchasing power as pathways 
to development.  
 
My Ministry's programme focuses on reinforcing the economy and promoting sustainable 
development, with the aim of processing consumer goods locally. We will be continuing the 
"One District  One Factory" project in order to provide each district with a suitable processing unit. 
Furthermore, we recently adopted the Investment Law with a view to c reating an investment -friendly 
environment.  
 
My Ministry is also responsible for implementing the State's export promotion policy and for 
negotiating , monitoring and ensuring the implementation of international trade agreements. We pay 
particular attention  to exporting our products  to help redress our trade balance. Vanilla is a strategic 
product that is well known for its flavour, taste and high vanillin content. Natural vanilla from 
Madagascar generates income for all stakeholders at the various stages, f rom plantation to 
exportation. I would like to take this opportunity to make a case for vanilla from Madagascar. I urge 
importing Member countries to support this sector by buying natural vanilla at the price 
corresponding to its quality. We would like to establish, in collaborat ion with other vanilla -producing 
countries , naturally,  an organization dedicated to vanilla that will help safeguard our shared product.  
 
I firmly believe that these efforts will contribute to enhancing our position in the global market and 
help foster inclusive economic development, ensuring that our actions directly benefit our entire 
population .  
 
Madagascar recognizes the crucial importance of the WTO as a forum for international trade 
governance. As a least developed nation  facing certain challenges, we a re firmly committed to 
strengthening the rules -based multilateral trading system  with the WTO at its core . 
 
It is our duty to show the political will needed to reach  decisions on the following WTO negotiating 
topics, which are of critical importance to our country: agriculture and food security; WTO reform; 
fisheries subsidies; the e -commerce work programme and moratorium; trade and development; the WT/MIN(24)/ST/93  
 
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  Decision on the Agreement on Trade -Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights; sanitary and 
phytosanitary matters; trade and environment; and issues relating to least developed countr ies. 
 
And here,  I must emphasize the development and special and differential treatment component, 
which will remain at the centre of all these negotiating topics.  
 
Regarding our relations with the WTO, Madagascar is determined to play an active and construct ive 
role in the Organization.  We benefit from Aid For Trade, technical assistance and capacity -building 
activities, and the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF). We would like to thank donors for these 
substantial contributions. In this connection, we seek to continu e our partnership with a view to 
further ing our national trade interests.  
 
Before concluding, my delegation welcomes the progress made by the Union of the Comoros and 
Timor -Leste in their accession s. I wish them every success in their tireless and long -stand ing efforts 
to join the WTO.  
 
I will close this statement by reaffirming Madagascar's commitment to multilateral trade and the 
WTO. We firmly believe that this work benefits the populations of WTO Member countries.  
 
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