ANTANANARIVO, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Gold exported by Madagascar increased to 900 kilograms in the first four months of 2017, an official said Friday, as reforms to regulate gold industry and curb illegal exports forged ahead.
"Madagascar exported officially 587 kilos of gold in 2016. It was the highest weight recorded in the country since its independence in 1960," secretary general of the ministry under the presidency in charge of mining and petroleum Carl Andriamparany told Xinhua in an interview.
In comparison, Madagascar recorded 900 kilograms of gold export from January to April, Andriamparany said.
"This is the result of the reform done by the government in the sector of gold," the official said.
Among the reforms is the distribution of 45,000 professional cards for gold panners in Madagascar and the set-up of a gold agency to monitor gold industry, according to the official.
The government also encouraged gold panners to declare their production and exportation to increase the money received by Madagascar from gold sector, Andriamparany disclosed.
The amount of gold exported illicitly from Madagascar is believed to exceed that recorded officially.
In 2012-2013, the Madagascar govenment recorded only 150 kg of official gold exports but the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) reported that 600 kg of gold worth 18 million U.S dollar had been exported illegally from Madagascar in the same period.
The World Bank also said that from 100 million to 200 million U.S. dollars of precious stones were exported clandestinely from Madagascar every year and only 5 percent of national production of mines was declared officially.
Data from the mining ministry estimated that Madagascar produced 4 tonnes of gold every year.
