Embassy/Consulate Addresses | Foreign Relations | Travel Advisories | Travel Tips | Customs/Duties



EMBASSY/CONSULATE ADDRESSES

Diplomatic Representation in US:
Ambassador: Mahamed TOIHIRI
Embassy: 336 E. 45th St., 2d floor, New York, NY 10017
Telephone: 212-750-1637
FAX: [1] (212) 983-4712

US Diplomatic Representation:
Chief of Mission: Eric Wong
Embassy: 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo.
Mailing Address: B.P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo, Madagascar
Telephone: 261-20-22-212-57;
Fax: 261-20-22-345-39;
all officers resident in Antananarivo, Madagascar


Embassy and Consulate Web Sites for Comoros
Embassy of the United States of America in Madagascar


FOREIGN RELATIONS

U.S.-COMOROS RELATIONS

The United States established diplomatic relations with Comoros in 1977, following its 1975 independence from France. The United States and Comoros enjoy friendly relations. The United States seeks to help counter piracy and terrorism in the Indian Ocean region through maintaining a strong bilateral relationship with Comoros and enhancing its maritime security. The U.S. Ambassador to Comoros is also accredited to Madagascar and is resident there. The United States does not maintain an embassy in Comoros.

U.S. Assistance to Comoros

U.S. security assistance to Comoros focuses on training its military and security forces and developing a maritime defense force.

Bilateral Economic Relations

Comoros is eligible for preferential trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. The United States receives a growing percentage of Comoros exports but supplies only a negligible fraction of its imports. The United States has signed a trade and investment framework agreement with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, of which Comoros is a member.

Comoros Membership in International Organizations

Comoros and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank. Comoros also is an observer to the World Trade Organization.

Bilateral Representation

The U.S. Ambassador to Madagascar also is accredited to Comoros. There currently is no U.S. Ambassador to Madagascar; the U.S. Charge d'Affaires is Eric Wong. Other principal embassy officials are listed in the Department's Key Officers List.

Comoros has no embassy in Washington, DC, but has a permanent representative to the United Nations in New York who also is accredited as ambassador to the United States.

More information about Comoros is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:

Department of State Comoros Page
Department of State Key Officers List
CIA World Factbook Comoros Page
U.S. Embassy: Madagascar
History of U.S. Relations With Comoros
Human Rights Reports
International Religious Freedom Reports
Trafficking in Persons Reports
Narcotics Control Reports
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Library of Congress Country Studies
Travel and Business Information




TRAVEL ADVISORIES

To obtain the latest Travel Advisory Information for Comoros check the U.S. State Department Consular Information Sheet.


TRAVEL TIPS

Driving TBA
Currency (KMF) Comoran Franc
Electrical 220 Volts
Telephones Country Code 269, City Code, Anjouan Island 71+4D, Moheli Island 72+4D, Moroni 73+4D



Time: GMT + 3.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Telephone: Outgoing international calls must be made through the international operator. Country code: 269.

Mobile telephone: There are currently no mobile networks.
Climate: The climate is tropical and very warm. Coastal areas are hot and very humid (December to March), interspaced with rains and seasonal cyclones. The upland areas are cooler, particularly at night, and have higher rainfall.

Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens with waterproofing during the rainy season. Warmer garments and rainwear are needed for the mountains.
Food & Drink: Restaurants serve good food with spiced sauces, rice-based dishes, cassava, plantain, couscous, barbecued goat meat, plentiful seafood and tropical fruits. There may be restrictions on drink within Muslim circles.

Shopping: Comoran products can be purchased at Moroni on Ngazidja (Grande Comore). These include gold, pearl and shell jewellery, woven cloth, embroidered skull-caps (koffia) and slippers, carved chests, panels and portes-croix (lecterns), pottery and basketry. Most items can be bought in the villages where they are made. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0800-1200 and 1500-1800.

Tipping: Normally 10 per cent.

Currency: Comoros Franc (Cfr) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of Cfr10,000, 5000, 2500, 1000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of Cfr20, 10, 5, 2 and 1, and 20 centimes. The Comoros Franc is part of the French Monetary Area and Euros are also commonly used. The Comoros Franc is tied to the Euro.

Credit & debit cards: There is limited acceptance of most international credit cards (mainly in upmarket hotels), but check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: The Banque Internationale des Comores (BIC) is the only bank which will change travellers cheques. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Euros.


CUSTOMS/DUTIES

Tobacco..............400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500g of tobacco

Liquor.................1 bottle

Perfume..............Reasonable for personal use

Cameras..............No restrictions

Film.....................Reasonable for personal use

Gifts.....................Duty free allowance up to afr5000

Currency..............No restrictions

Prohibited items: Plants or soil



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