10:05
MANOMBO SPECIAL RESERVE
The fire that ravaged the Manombo Special Reserve in Farafangana has been extinguished, according to the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD). Authorities are currently assessing the damages. An investigation has also been opened to determine whether the fire was accidental or criminal, and to identify the perpetrators of this forest fire. During this fire season, the MEDD is urging everyone to be vigilant. Indeed, the weather conditions, characterized by high temperatures and lack of humidity, make fire control difficult.
12:30
ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES
The improvement of formal business activities observed in the third quarter of 2024 was lower than expected. According to the results of the Economic Outlook Survey – ECE of October 2024, economic activity has slowed down. Sales have decreased in the primary and secondary sectors, it is reported. On the other hand, the tertiary sector has experienced an improvement in sales during this period. Orders have also declined, according to the ECE. Furthermore, it has been reported that operating costs excluding energy have increased for 50.6% of companies, while they have decreased for 3.0% of them. Unit costs have also continued to rise, affecting 47.4% of companies. Despite stable employment, personnel expenses have continued their upward trend observed in the previous quarter. Companies that have seen an increase in personnel remuneration expenses accounted for 45.8%, and those that have reported a decrease, 2.0%. The combined effects of rising costs and expenses, along with the slowdown in activity, have led to a decrease in profits in the third quarter of 2024. This decrease affected 44.2% of companies, it is indicated.
14:00
VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS
A local committee for the prevention and fight against violence in schools has been created at the French High School in Antananarivo. This committee brings together all French educational institutions in Antananarivo. Its implementation represents a new step in the commitment to better ensure school safety, while informing the educational community and parents about the risks that students may face, underline the officials.
15:00
CUSTOMS VIGILANCE
The alert level has been raised in customs during this holiday season when the risks of trafficking are enormous. As a reminder, the seizure of 73kg of gold from Madagascar in 2021 in South Africa occurred in January, during an air transit bound for Dubai. A substantial reinforcement of maritime and aerial surveillance, accompanied by increased vigilance, is therefore planned during this delicate period as part of the fight against cross-border crime. All stakeholders concerned will be mobilized to intensify controls, it is explained. They will use all means at their disposal, including the intervention of the canine brigade in offices equipped with it, as well as the use of surveillance cameras. In addition, information sharing between different services will be systematically established in order to optimize the operational efficiency of customs. At Ivato Airport, customs agents have been able to enhance their competence in analyzing risky behaviors, refine their detection techniques, and improve their ability to detect suspicious activities, it is indicated.
