# CE2004078EN.01039501.xml

| 27.3.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 78/395 |
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27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 78/395

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(2004/C 78 E/0418)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2121/03

by Isabelle Caullery (UEN) to the Commission

(25 June 2003)

Subject:   Developing infrastructure and promoting employment in Madagascar

Subject:

Can the Commission inform us of the various types of aid, measures, programmes and/or budget lines that can be used for development measures in Madagascar, particularly:

| 1. | in the renewable energy sector (including wind energy), in a country which depends essentially on hydrocarbon imports; |
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1.

in the renewable energy sector (including wind energy), in a country which depends essentially on hydrocarbon imports;

| 2. | for promoting reafforestation (given that the country has seen 65 % of its forests disappear); |
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2.

for promoting reafforestation (given that the country has seen 65 % of its forests disappear);

| 3. | for building rural villages, using bricks as the raw material, an activity which creates a great many jobs and whose objective is to establish populations in their place of origin in the best possible conditions; |
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3.

for building rural villages, using bricks as the raw material, an activity which creates a great many jobs and whose objective is to establish populations in their place of origin in the best possible conditions;

| 4. | for building tourist villages or complexes which could generate employment and steady incomes for local populations? |
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4.

for building tourist villages or complexes which could generate employment and steady incomes for local populations?

Can the EDF (European Development Fund) be called upon to contribute to such projects, and in accordance with which procedures?

Can the Commission also tell us what facilities are offered by the EIB to promote all or some of these projects?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(4 August 2003)

(4 August 2003)

The Community has allocated, in the framework of the 9th European Development Fund (EDF), development aid to Madagascar for a total amount of EUR 327 million for the period 2002-2007. Main sectors of intervention, agreed with the Madagascar Government, are transport, rural development and food security, macro-economic support and good governance, with particular attention to actions aimed at strengthening civil society by developing representation and legitimacy.

EDF development aid is complemented by yearly contributions from the Community budget, particularly for food aid.

| 1. | There is not an explicit policy on promoting renewable energy in the present country co-operation strategy. However in the past, some micro hydro-electrical plants have been financed. Besides, there are not initiatives in this specific sector at national level or promoted by other donors and windmills and solar energy would require substantial investments, which the target group is not able to sustain at this stage. |
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1.

There is not an explicit policy on promoting renewable energy in the present country co-operation strategy. However in the past, some micro hydro-electrical plants have been financed. Besides, there are not initiatives in this specific sector at national level or promoted by other donors and windmills and solar energy would require substantial investments, which the target group is not able to sustain at this stage.

| 2. | Reforestation is foreseen in the framework of the 9th EDF rural development programme in the context of watershed development interventions. In addition, in the context of the budget line Tropical Forests', community-based management of plantation forests is promoted. |
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2.

Reforestation is foreseen in the framework of the 9th EDF rural development programme in the context of watershed development interventions. In addition, in the context of the budget line Tropical Forests', community-based management of plantation forests is promoted.

| 3. | Through its micro-projects/decentralised co-operation, the Commission has been funding housing for homeless people. |
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3.

Through its micro-projects/decentralised co-operation, the Commission has been funding housing for homeless people.

| 4. | The Commission finances an integrated tourist/rural development programme for the Bemahara Park, which includes promoting local capacity of tourist guides and tourist services.
  Regarding employment, its generation is linked to the overall re-activation of the economy, which is supported by all the programmes foreseen by the 9th EDF development aid.
  Concerning EDF programmes and projects, the Madagascar Government presents detailed proposals to the Commission for approval and funding within the above-mentioned sectors agreed as part of the country strategy for the EDF.
  Concerning the European Investment Bank (EIB), Madagascar, as well as other African, Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP), will benefit from the new EUR 2,4 billion Investment facility recently launched. EIB intends to promote, through this instrument, the private sector and to fight poverty in the beneficiary countries. |
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4.

The Commission finances an integrated tourist/rural development programme for the Bemahara Park, which includes promoting local capacity of tourist guides and tourist services.

Regarding employment, its generation is linked to the overall re-activation of the economy, which is supported by all the programmes foreseen by the 9th EDF development aid.

Concerning EDF programmes and projects, the Madagascar Government presents detailed proposals to the Commission for approval and funding within the above-mentioned sectors agreed as part of the country strategy for the EDF.

Concerning the European Investment Bank (EIB), Madagascar, as well as other African, Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP), will benefit from the new EUR 2,4 billion Investment facility recently launched. EIB intends to promote, through this instrument, the private sector and to fight poverty in the beneficiary countries.

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