Exploring the Perceived Prospects of the Belt & Road Initiative on Policy Impacts for Madagascar

Abstract

This paper sorts to promote suitable cooperation between China and Madagascar by way of compiling the sentiments of a varying pool of youthful respondents, which can be benefitable to the policy formulation in Madagascar. In achieving the objectives of the research, an extensive literature review was conducted on the subject matter. Further, a mixed method of research design combining quantitative and qualitative methods was adopted. The study findings from the majority of respondents argue that China’s belt and road initiative (BRI) will create new business and job opportunities and positively impact policy formulation in Madagascar - although an overwhelming majority also concurred that BRI cooperation would give jobs to more Chinese companies over local companies in Madagascar. The respondents expressed concerns about labor laws, working conditions and the employment of some local workers (in addition to Chinese workers) for BRI projects. The suggested reforms include establishing the appropriate conditions for a strong and well-structured BRI cooperation which will create enough opportunity for both local and Chinese workers to co-exist positively, advancing the spirit of a win-win situation on which the core of the BRI lies. When these policies are put in place in Madagascar, appropriate participation from Chinese companies will create more value for local economies.