All that Glitters

The USAID-funded Madagascar BAMEX project aimed at increasing market-based, private sector-led growth and increasing trade and revenues from selected Malagasy products in domestic, regional, and international markets. IBI focused on small-scale mining of gems and gold, which is a major source of off-farm employment and poverty reduction in rural Madagascar and other countries in the developing world. IBI provided market development and training to women in gem processing and jewelry-making to increase local value-added. In October 2004, IBI worked with the Ministry of Energy and Minerals on a workshop to establish a legal framework for foreign buyers to buy gemstones in Madagascar. In 2005 and 2006 IBI performed sector analysis, policy reform, and capacity-building for mining associations in support of the emerging gem stone industry.

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