An Export Processing Zone is located in Antsirabe and the town is the home several factories, including Tiko (milk and other food products), Star Brasseries (beverages), Cotona (textiles) and Kobama (grain).
As in Antananarivo, international economic sanctions following the 2009 uprising and following political crisis led to an economic downturn and factory lay-offs in Antsirabe. The removal of Madagascar from the list of beneficiaries of the African Growth and Opportunity Act was particularly important in this regard
