| The Madagascar International Fair closed its doors yesterday. |
The curtain has fallen on the 18th edition of the Madagascar International Fair. This event was a showcase of resilience and innovation within businesses.
A barometer. This is how the FIM is perceived by economic operators of all stripes, who come to exhibit their products for different reasons. Among them, certain companies participated in search of visibility, investors and business opportunities. Others came to survey the opinions of customers, who can sometimes be demanding. “We wanted to participate in the FIM because we heard a lot about it in the newspapers, we said to ourselves, why not? We are a small company that has just celebrated our first year,” confides the manager of a stand selling mixed rum.
Holding this economic event would allow this company to develop its experience and networks. In any case, this is what the Fair is all about. “We were not disappointed, we received feedback from our potential customers on the products and the improvements that could be made to them. The exchange sessions between Malagasy and foreign companies were also beneficial because we received feedback on the experiences of industries and companies on the Big Island. This allows us to consider angles to attack the country’s market,” specified a Mauritian economic operator, who came to prospect during this edition. His country was the guest of honor at the show.
Note positive
In the meantime, a special place was given to small local industries during this FIM. In particular the cooperatives and management companies of the One District, One Factory (ODOF) units which were able to present their products at the stand of the Ministry of Industrialization and Trade. This department has attached particular interest to the promotion of these products, which are already making their way onto the local market. One of the characteristics of the FIM is that it allows exhibitors to campaign directly with visitors, but also and above all with investors and other companies. This is done with training, exchange and B2B sessions. An initiative signed by the authorities concerned and the organizers. They believe that attracting investors would bring more foreign direct investment into the country. In total, four hundred stands were set up during this fair, with more than two hundred exhibitors. Thousands of visitors also filled the hall of the Forello Tanjombato exhibition center. In any case, everyone found something to suit them, so this edition ended on a positive note.
Itamara Randriamamonjy