Madagascar – 4 July 2014

Madagascar needs fuel subsidy reforms – IMF

Madagascar needs to reform its fuel subsidy programme which does not help its poorest people, a senior International Monetary Fund official said as the lender considers more funding for the Indian Ocean Island.

Famed for its wildlife and eyed by foreign companies for its minerals, Madagascar has struggled to lure back tourists and attract oil and mining giants since a coup in 2009.

IMF’s Deputy Managing Director Min Zhu told Reuters in an interview late on Monday during a visit to the country that the government’s fuel subsidy programme – which costs 1.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) – was not reaching the vulnerable.

News 24

Madagascar: Vatican – President of Madagascar Visits Pope

The Church’s contributions to national reconciliation, political stability, education and healthcare in Madagascar were at the heart of conversations between Pope Francis and the country’s president.

The struggles against poverty and social inequality were discussed when Pope Francis received in audience the president of the Republic of Madagascar, Hery Martial Rajaonarimampianina, Saturday morning, June 28, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace.

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