Toliara is hosting a major economic event starting today, with impacts expected to drive the entire region toward development and prosperity. Anny Corine Samarthe, founder of Atsimo Andrefana Business Week and president of Women Entrepreneurs (GFEM), is leading the initiative.

A Strategic Week
"Atsimo Andrefana Business Week" kicked off last Sunday with a "golden run" and will conclude with a show-biz spectacle next Sunday. A foot race was organized to emphasize that running symbolizes progress and demonstrates the endurance required in entrepreneurship and economic activities. Today, the "economic village" opens its doors at Jardin de la Mer in Toliara, where local economic operators will showcase their businesses. "The economic village is a dedicated space for exchanges, business opportunities, and highlighting economic actors in the region," emphasizes Corine Samarthe, one of the event organizers.

The venue will host "Speed recruiting," a space dedicated to young graduates and non-graduates seeking their first or next opportunity in the job market. Two days will feature conferences addressing seven major themes. "Toliara 2030: Making Atsimo Andrefana an International Center of Excellence" opens discussions with panelists from tourism, blue economy, and entrepreneurship sectors. The event will address modernization of agricultural and pastoral sectors, professional associations—often viewed as "facade unions" or genuine economic forces—women leaders, and young entrepreneurs as new faces of regional economy. Higher education, through the University of Toliara, will address "university-business synergy" on Friday, September 4.

Real Impact
"This is the second edition of Atsimo Andrefana Business Week this year. What lessons were learned from the previous edition? What priorities were considered? That's what I expect from this event," says Cynthia Velosoa, a final-year science student at the University of Toliara.

The theme "Investing in Atsimo Andrefana: What Opportunities in Tourism and Blue Economy?" scheduled for tomorrow morning aims to partly address this question. Velosoa expects practical answers that will genuinely advance the Atsimo Andrefana region. "Why are we still in the economic takeoff phase? Why can't we reach acceleration and speed?" she questions.

Sensitive issues, like "Vara Mada," which invests nearly 1 billion dollars with its new American owners, will likely resurface. This concrete example dampens investor enthusiasm, as they face obstacles related to the business climate and social atmosphere in the region.

Does tourism absorb the growing workforce seeking employment in Toliara and surroundings? Is non-mining industry viable? A cement factory? An agro-food processing plant? These questions may find answers during the event. The week concludes Saturday evening with the "red carpet" of the Atsimo Andrefana Economic Awards, a ceremony celebrating excellence, recognition, and ambition.

By Mirana Ihariliva