Accessing Malagasy Citizenship 191 wealth among the Karana community helps to ease their situation. Additionally, much of the work in Madagascar occurs in the informal economy. There were a few reports that it may be more difficult to get a job if you are a foreigner, but most people that were interviewed reported no real difficulties. If the job does require identification a foreign passport is usually sufficient.37 The Karana are very successful in business in Madagascar because they have built close networks within their communities. When the Karana immigrated to Madagascar they brought with them a tradition of developing business networks that overlapped with family and social ties.38 A boss would recruit among villagers in India, who would then become his network in Madagascar. Often a young business owner was able to start his own shop after an apprenticeship because of a loan he received from his previous boss.39 Family networks and economic networks were closely intertwined. One reason is that business owners recruited from their own village in India, which was usually made up of extended families.40 Additionally, a strong tradition of endogamy and joint family residences strengthened the familial communities the Karana formed in Madagascar.41 Therefore, the success of the Karana community is both a blessing and a curse. The Indian community has a strong presence in industrial life and the economic dynamics of the country, but not in formal political life. As of 2007, the Indian community was estimated to contribute one-third of the Malagasy GDP.42 Because the Karana do not have access to Malagasy citizenship and do not feel welcome, some Karana may be less willing to invest in Madagascar.43 Preventing the Karana from accessing citizenship perpetuates the community’s isolation and the violence against the community. Madagascar needs to do more now to build the democratic nation it hopes to have in the future by making the citizenship process more accessible for everyone. Giving the Karana a viable path to citizenship would help to ease some of the social tensions and foster integration. Granting Karana citizenship would also align these powerful business leaders with the growth of Madagascar and encourage them to invest in the nation and its future. 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 See generally, Interview with AKAMA (n 34). Sophie Blanchy, Karana Et Banians (n 16) 271-72. Ibid. Ibid at 275. Ibid at 280. Bhapoo, ‘La minorité Indienne de Madagascar’ Temoignages (3 January 2007). Sophie Blanchy, Karana Et Banians (n 16) 266; Interview with the African Muslim Agency, in Antananarivo, Madagascar (5 January 2013) (simultaneous translation conducted by Tefinjanahary Tantelinirina), suggesting that some wealthy Karana live in very small apartments and choose to invest elsewhere; See generally, Interview with AKAMA (n 34). tilburg law review 19 (2014) 182-193