Identification and formulation of the Regional Integration and Export Promotion Programme

The objective of this project was to formulate the Regional Integration and Export Promotion Programme ("Programme d'appui au développement des Exportations et à l'intégration régionale -PADEIR"). The PADEIR is to be financed under the 11Th EDF, in the framework of the technical assistance of the European Union to support regional integration and export promotion of Madagascar, which is part of the i-EPA alongside Seychelles, Mauritius and Zimbabwe. PADEIR aims at an increased participation of Madagascar to regional trade within the i-EPA, and will strengthen its position on the international market throughout four main components: Building capacities of the national instances in charge of trade negotiations and trade policy Improving the business environment, facilitating trade, export and investment notably through the operationalisation of the One-Stop Shopt for exports); Develop high potential value chains (or strong import substitution potential); Build the capacities of the Malagasy private sector (in particular SMEs) by giving them the tools to be more competitive on the national market but especially on the regional export market (SADC, COMESA, IOC); Strengthening technical and operational capacities of trade support institutions, in particular quality infrastructure bodies. The PADEIR aims notably at fostering the involvement of all stakeholders along several value chains in the international negotiations and trade policy. In an inclusive way, PADEIR focuses on employment of youth, increased women entrepreneurship in agriculture value chains.