Browse 32 essential business support services terms and definitions used by professionals in Madagascar.
Term Index
Open any term below for a dedicated definition page.
Agricultural Export License is an official government-issued permit that allows businesses or individuals to legally ship agricultural products from one country to another. It ensures compliance with national and international trade regulations, protects domestic food security.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance is a set of legal and regulatory procedures that financial institutions, businesses, And professionals follow to detect, prevent, And report activities linked to money laundering, terrorist financing, And other financial crimes. These procedures include customer identification, transaction monitoring, record-keeping.
APS is the Agence Portuaire et Maritime de Surveillance, Madagascar’s national maritime and port authority. APS regulates safety, security, environmental compliance, And operational standards across all Malagasy ports, ensuring vessels, cargo.
An official paper from a chamber of commerce or government. It shows where goods were made or worked on. Customs, banks, And buyers use it to check tariffs and rules.
Commercial Lease Agreement is a legally binding contract between a landlord and a business tenant that outlines the terms for renting property used for commercial purposes, such as offices, retail spaces, Or warehouses. It specifies rent amounts, lease duration, maintenance responsibilities, permitted uses.
Corporate Tax Identification Number is a unique identifier assigned by Madagascar’s tax authority to registered businesses for tax administration purposes. It enables the government to track tax obligations, filings.
Customs Clearance is the official process through which imported or exported goods are inspected, documented, And approved by a country’s customs authority before entering or leaving its borders. It ensures compliance with national laws, tariffs.
Duty Exemption is a legal provision that allows certain imported or exported goods to enter or leave a country without paying customs duties, taxes, Or tariffs. Duty Exemptions are typically granted to support specific industries, promote economic growth, Or comply with international trade agreements. Governments define eligibility criteria, such as the type of goods, intended use.
Economic Development Board is a government or public-private agency tasked with attracting investment, promoting business growth, And improving economic conditions in a region or country. Economic Development Boards design incentives, streamline regulations, And provide support services to help businesses start, expand.
EDBM is the Economic Development Board of Madagascar, a government agency responsible for promoting investment, facilitating business setup, And driving economic growth in Madagascar. EDBM serves as the primary point of contact for local and foreign investors, offering streamlined processes for permits, incentives.
Employment Contract is a legally binding agreement between an employer and an employee that outlines the terms and conditions of employment. It specifies job responsibilities, compensation, working hours, benefits, termination clauses.
Export Processing Zones are set areas for business. Firms bring in materials with low or no tax. They make or fix goods. Then they send them out again. Taxes and rules are fewer. This helps bring in foreign money. It also helps make jobs.
Foreign Direct Investment is a business investment made by a company or individual in one country into a business located in another country, involving significant control or influence over the foreign enterprise. This typically includes establishing new operations, acquiring assets.
Free Trade Agreement is free Trade Agreements are legally binding treaties between two or more countries that reduce or eliminate tariffs, quotas, And other trade barriers on goods and services. Free Trade Agreements aim to boost economic growth, increase trade flows.
Goods and Services Tax is a broad-based consumption tax levied on the supply of most goods and services in Madagascar. It replaces multiple indirect taxes with a single tax collected at each stage of production and distribution, ensuring transparency and reducing tax cascading. Businesses registered under GST charge it on sales and claim credits for taxes paid on purchases.
GST is a value-added tax levied on most goods and services sold for domestic consumption. Businesses collect GST from customers and remit it to the government. While also claiming credits for GST paid on their own purchases. This system replaces multiple indirect taxes with a single, unified tax to simplify compliance and reduce cascading effects.
An Import Permit is a paper from the government. It lets goods enter a country. It follows local laws. It keeps local businesses safe.
Investment Promotion Law is a set of legal rules and incentives designed by a country to attract foreign and domestic investors. These laws typically offer tax breaks, streamlined permits, land access, And other benefits to encourage businesses to invest, create jobs.
Joint Venture Agreement is a legally binding contract between two or more businesses that outlines how they will collaborate on a specific project, share resources, risks, profits, And losses, And define each party’s roles, responsibilities, And exit terms. It ensures clarity and legal protection for all involved parties during the joint venture’s duration.
Labor Code is a comprehensive set of laws that govern the relationship between employers and employees, covering wages, working hours, safety, termination, benefits, And dispute resolution. It establishes legal rights and obligations to ensure fair treatment, protect workers.
Local Content Requirement is a rule set by governments. It makes businesses use a set share of local goods, work, Or services. These rules help local jobs and keep money in the country.
A Memorandum of Association is a legal paper. It sets a company’s main rules, goals, And work limits. It lists the company name, address, goals, share money, And member risks. It is a public record of the company’s legal shape.
Non-Disclosure Agreement is a legally binding contract that requires one or more parties to keep specific information confidential and prohibits them from sharing it with others without permission. These agreements protect sensitive business details, trade secrets.
Phytosanitary Certificate is an official document issued by a government authority to certify that plant products, such as fruits, vegetables, seeds, Or timber, meet the importing country’s plant health standards. It confirms the shipment is free from pests, diseases.
Preferential Tariff is a reduced or eliminated import duty rate granted to goods from specific countries under trade agreements, regional blocs, Or development programs. These tariffs lower costs for importers and encourage trade between participating nations by making products more competitive than those from non-participating countries.
A Private Limited Company is a legal business type. It keeps owner risk low. Owners lose only what they put in. Shares stay private. No public stock sales are allowed. The company is its own legal self. It shields personal items from business debts. It can have up to 50 owners in Madagascar.
Shareholder Agreement is a private contract between the owners of a company that sets out their rights, obligations, And procedures for key decisions. It covers issues like share transfers, dividend policies, dispute resolution, And what happens if a shareholder wants to leave or dies. Unlike the company’s public documents, it remains confidential and governs how owners work together.
Special Economic Zone is special Economic Zones are designated areas within a country where businesses enjoy simplified regulations, tax incentives, And infrastructure support to attract investment and boost economic growth. These zones often offer reduced customs duties, relaxed labor laws, And streamlined administrative procedures to encourage industrial activity, exports.
Tax Holiday is a temporary period during which a government exempts businesses, investors, Or specific industries from paying certain taxes, such as corporate income tax, value-added tax (VAT). Or import duties. Tax Holidays are typically granted to attract investment, stimulate economic growth.
Trade License is an official permit'ssued by local or national authorities in Madagascar that authorizes a business to conduct specific commercial activities within a defined jurisdiction. Trade licenses ensure compliance with local regulations, zoning laws, And industry standards, And they help authorities monitor business operations for tax, safety.
VAT Registration is a must for businesses. They must collect and pay VAT on taxed goods and services. In Madagascar, firms over a set yearly sales mark must sign up. This lets them give VAT bills and get tax back. They must follow tax laws.
Workforce Localization is the practice of hiring and developing employees from the host country where a business operates, rather than relying on expatriate or foreign workers. It aims to align a company’s workforce with local labor laws, cultural norms.
