Japan to give Madagascar $500m for infrastructure project

A section of the Toamasina port in east coast of Madagascar that will benefit from the over $500m infrastructure funding from Japan. RIVONALA RAZAFISON | NATION MEDIA GROUP. 

 

RIVONALA RAZAFISON in Antananarivo Wednesday, May 4  2016 at  15:10 comment

The Japan government has set aside over $500 million for infrastructure development in Madagascar, official said.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) representative in Antananarivo, Mr Akira Nashimoto, made the announcement when he held talks with the Madagascar officials in Antananarivo.

The money will finance the expansion and upgrading of the Toamasina port.

Marine traffic

Toamasina is the capital of the Atsinanana region on the east coast of Madagascar.

The capacity of Madagascar’s main port has been adjudged inadequate to cope with the modern marine traffic.

“Our port is expected to receive a major boost, meaning the volume of the traffic will significantly increase,” the Malagasy Infrastructure and Territory Landscaping minister, Mr Narison Rafidimanana, said.

The mayors

The upgrading of the port will also entail the refurbishment of the National Road 2, connecting it to Antananarivo, some 358km away.

The road that is critical in the national economy, has degenerated over the years due to neglect.

Mr Rafidimanana stated that the project would be launched by the mayors of Antananarivo and Toamasina next week.