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Francophonie Summit marks final return of Madagascar to international scene: Official

Xinhua, November 23, 2016 Adjust font size:

Hosting the 16th Francophonie Summit marks the final return of Madagascar to the international scene, the Ambassador of International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) for Indian Ocean Malik Sarr said on Tuesday.

"Madagascar had a rather difficult digression, a political digression, because it was isolated from the international community, it was suspended from the African Union and from la Francophonie," Malik Sarr said during a press conference on Tuesday in Antananarivo.

According to him, being in the spotlight in front of 80 countries is important for a country like Madagascar. "Everyone dreams of going out, showing himself in his finest clothes," he said.

"Here we have the most beautiful village of la Francophonie ever seen since the history of the villages of La Francophonie," Malik Sarr told the journalists.

"It is exceptional what Madagascar offers to the francophone community, and the Malagasy people must be proud of this beautiful achievement,"he said.

As for Madagascar during the summit, the OIF Representative to the Indian Ocean said that Madagascar received more visitors; all the hotel rooms and car rental in the capital were fully booked.

"Another immediate fact is the currency reserve at the central bank of Madagascar will increase immediately after the summit because of the arrival in Antananarivo of thousands participants to the summit," Sarr explained.

For him, the summit is not only diplomatic, because there are also business leaders among the delegations.

The trade fair (Salon des Industires de Madagascar) which will be held from Nov. 24 to 27 in Antananarivo is also a special edition, because it will be the opportunity for these businessmen to discover Madagascar.

In addition to all agreements that will be signed during the Summit, the international conference center and the five-star hotel will be the legacy to Madagascar after hosting the Francophonie Summit.

"Madagascar can tell the world that it can now host other summits. This is very important for the country's CV, its attractiveness, its ability to host international meetings," Sarr said.

According to the OIF, the Francophonie authorities moved the 13th summit of La Francophonie to Montreux, Switzerland, in 2009, because of the political crisis that plagued the Madagascar, though the later already prepared to host it in 2010 for its first time.

During the 15th Francophonie Summit in Dakar, the heads of state and government decided to give the organization of the 16th Francophonie Summit to Madagascar. Endit