Chinese Migration to Madagascar

The December 2013 issue of African Review of Economics and Finance published an article titled "Temporary Chinese Migration to Madagascar: Local Perceptions, Economic Impacts, and Human Capital Flows" by Cornelia Tremann, School of Oriental and African Studies.

The article is based on 15 months of fieldwork in Madagascar between September 2010 and July 2012.  There are an estimated 70,000 to 100,000 Chinese nationals residing in Madagascar.  Most are traders of items manufactured in China.  The Malagasy believe that most of the Chinese goods reaching Madagascar are of the lowest export quality.  The Malagasy government has done little to limit the importation of Chinese goods where they compete directly with products manufactured in Madagascar.  The author concludes that while many local Malagasy businesses have not been able to compete with Chinese imports others are finding ways to exploit the presence of the new Chinese business networks and supply chains in the country.