The American Chamber of Commerce in Madagascar is non-profit association of American and local businesses and businesspeople.  AmCham Mada began its activities in November 2008 and was officially recognized by the Government of Madagascar in February 2010.

AmCham Mada’s mission is to:

• Enhance commercial ties between the United States and Madagascar
• Uphold the highest standards of commercial practice
• Support the expansion of an English-speaking, Anglophone business community in Madagascar

AmCham Mada does this by:

• Holding regular discussion groups and round tables on subjects of interest to our members
• Presenting members’ concerns before local and international authorities
• Facilitating communication between businesses
• Introducing businesses to potential investors and investors to businesses
• Providing updates on the Malagasy and American business environments

AmCham Madagascar was the brainchild of former US Ambassador R. Niels Marquardt and former Minister of Trade, Commerce and Economy Ivohasina Razafimahefa who saw the potential in the underdeveloped commercial relationship between the United States and Madagascar.

A steering committee of Americans and Malagasies was formed in September 2008. AmCham’s kick-off dinner was held  in November with Stephan Hayes, the president of the Corporate Council on Africa, as keynote speaker.  AmCham’s January 2009 membership drive resulted in nearly 70 companies signing up for membership.

Despite being the “newest kid on the block,” AmChamMada has been influential in Madagascar.  Activities to date include:

• Hosting monthly Thursday Morning Round Tables with top business people and representatives of the international and diplomatic communities
• Vigorously defending AGOA privileges for Madagascar-based companies
• Facilitating business deals between AmCham members
• Introducing AmCham members to international sources of technical and financial expertise
• Defending AmCham members interests with local and international authorities

By joining AmCham you will join an exclusive group that includes Madagascar’s most innovative and entrepreneurial companies.  Our publications and functions allow people to exchange ideas in a way that is typically American.  AmCham Mada also gives non-native English speakers a place where they can practice  the language of global commerce with others for whom English is not a first language.

AmCham members also provide support to one another by collaborating on projects, exchanging contacts and working toward improving the overall business environment in Madagascar.

As an AmCham member, your company will:

• Receive AmCham’s newsletter
• Be listed on our web-site  with a link to your company’s site
• Be  invited to events sponsored by the US Embassy
• Be eligible to participate in trade shows and missions
• Have your interests represented with appropriate offices of the US and Malagasy government

For an “application form” just contact the AmCham office or click to “Join” in the home page of this website.  Annual dues range from 200,000 to 1,000,000 ariary depending on company size.  Enterprises are encouraged to become “sponsoring” members of AmCham.  Sponsoring members receive prominent exposure on AmCham’s web-site and newsletter as well as other priviledges.