Strengthening Economic Relations between Madagascar and the United States

Madagascar exported nearly 3 trillion ariary (US$600 million) worth of goods to the US market in 2025, confirming the United States’ position as the country’s leading trading partner.

In this context, the Madagascar–United States Trade and Investment Symposium (MUSTIS) was launched to further strengthen trade and investment between the two countries. The opening ceremony was held in Antananarivo in the presence of the US Chargé d’Affaires, Stephanie Arnold. Over two days, the event brought together more than 100 participants, including officials from the Malagasy and US governments, private sector representatives, and local companies interested in the US market.

In her address, Stephanie Arnold explained that quality trade and investment are essential for supporting economic growth and stability. The latter emphasized the importance of building balanced partnerships, based on transparency and trust, to create opportunities for businesses and jobs for communities.

The symposium primarily aims to forge concrete links between Malagasy and American businesses. To this end, several working groups have been established in key sectors such as agriculture, tourism, mining, handicrafts, and textiles. These exchanges will not end with the event, as participants will continue to work together in the coming months to transform ideas into concrete projects.

The MUSTIS program is organized by the U.S. Embassy in partnership with alumni of U.S. exchange programs. The initiative is supported by the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund, a fund that supports projects led by these alumni. This symposium is also part of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which facilitates access for Malagasy products to the American market.