Madagascar manifesto: an island nation looks to the future.

• Author: Ravalomanana, Marc

I have vision for my country, one which builds on its rich history and rests on the strength of its hardworking, talented citizens who are anxious to make a new and better world for their children. I get very excited about the possibilities for my country and the rewarding opportunities for our partners from abroad. And I want you to know that my optimism for Madagascar's future is not unfounded. We are moving aggressively to attract friends and to create strategic alliances with governments, global financial institutions, and private investors throughout the globe.

For Madagascar to succeed, it must have support, investments, and partnerships from its many friends around the world. Let me remind you of a few relevant facts.

Geographically we are a large country, nearly the size of Texas with a population of over 16 million people, the vast majority of whom live in rural areas. Our capital, Antananarivo, and our other cities are vibrant, serving as economic and cultural centers. Fortunately, the cities have not become overwhelmed by the crowding that is seen in many countries.

The Malagasy people have a very high literacy rate. This educated and highly motivated work force is growing larger every year. Abundant and diverse natural resources help us provide immense opportunities to investors in tourism, industrial development, and other global business interests. Also, our citizens care deeply about success for themselves, for their families, and for their country.

While we recognize that these are important strengths, we know that to fully develop the economic potential of Madagascar we need to rely on important strategic partnerships. We have established a mutually beneficial partnership with the United States and its governmental, financial, and economic institutions, major corporations and private investors. Madagascar welcomes and encourages greater U.S. capital participation in our country's economic development, and our leadership is committed to providing a "road map" for U.S. investors willing to work with us and benefit by tapping the vast mineral and human resources of our country. We recognize the United States' global leadership in cutting-edge information technology, and Madagascar has already awarded a contract to a group of U.S. companies for development of the undersea fiber optic cable communication project aimed at connecting Madagascar seamlessly to the rest of the world.

Now that Madagascar has emerged from its deep...