THE AMCHAM POST APRIL 07- 2022

April is here. A lot happened during the first quarter of the year. The virus is still spreading in its different strains despite the rollout of the vaccine. But the most significant global event that caught the world’s attention is the current crisis in Ukraine. The economic consequences of the crisis start to be felt.Fuel prices have risen in Europe, and it is likely to get a lot worse.

Back in December 2021, right after COP26 in Glasgow, AmCham published the 13th edition of its quarterly magazine which was focused on environmental issues. This time, following important events that happened in Madagascar in early 2022, The American magazine has chosen as its main topic the “Energy” sector that brings together different stakeholders. This 14th edition is being published this week.

A brief overview of the magazine

Back in 2017, the American Chamber of Commerce in Madagascar was awarded a small grant by the U.S. Embassy’s Public Affairs Section (PAS). The grant was intended to produce the first ever magazine fully edited in English in Madagascar. The first edition of The American magazine was then published in October 2017.
As a reminder, one of AmCham’s main missions is to promote the use of the English language within the business community in Madagascar. Since its launch in 2017, The American magazine remains a way for AmCham to share ideas about various topics, to promote freedom of expression, to promote both American and Malagasy cultures, to communicate news related to diplomatic and economic relations between Madagascar and the United States, and to share AmCham and AGOA-related news.

Each issue of The American magazine is focused on a key topic. Among the key topics the Chamber has dealt with are Environment, Corruption, Education, Agriculture, Technology, Tourism, Africa, Educational Exchanges, Industry, Economic Recovery, Cultures, and Youth. The 14th issue that has just been released covers various topic around the energy sector.

Since its first edition, the magazine keeps being distributed for free to a well-targeted audience. Copies of the magazine are delivered to private sector actors, including AmCham members and other chambers of commerce, to AmCham’s partners (international organizations, NGOs and associations). Big hotels and restaurants in Antananarivo, as well as English-teaching centers, are also distribution points where a wider audience can grab a copy of the magazine. Anyone interested in getting a physical version can also visit the AmCham office Ankorondrano. A soft copy is available for free download on AmCham’s website: www.amcham-madagascar.org.

The paper version of The American magazine is published on a quarterly basis. The previous edition was last released last December.
The AmCham would like to thank the following contributors to the 14th edition of The American magazine: RivoRakotondrasanjy, Andry Ramaroson, Romy AndrianarisoaVoos, Katja Tauchnitz, RandriambolaVoahirana, Jean Balme, Sara Cankaya, Juliana Andriantsiferana, Vola Rakotondrazafy, U.S. Embassy Madagascar, USAID Madagascar, WWF Madagascar, and the Economic Development Board of Madagascar.

WWW.THEAMERICAN.MG: the digital version of the magazine

Thanks to the funding provided by the U.S. Embassy in Antananarivo, the AmCham launched the digital version of The American magazine in October 2020, in order to keep in touch on a daily basis with the anglophone readership in Madagascar.
In addition to AmCham’s daily publications, it is now possible to read the articles in The American magazine on www.theamerican.mg wherever we are, as long as we have access to internet on our smartphone or laptop.

By Kenny Raharison