"The IOM office in Bamako is launching a project to find out how Malians abroad can best contribute to the development of their home country. The project, which is carried out in cooperation with the Ministry for Malians Abroad and African Integration, will over the next eight months gather data on migrant communities in France, Spain, Côte d'Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The aim of this project is to identify skills available in the diasporas and possible investment opportunities as part of a Migration for Development in Africa (MIDA) programme.   Of particular interest will be patterns of remittances and investments, options for temporary return or skill-transfer and improved understanding of migration dynamics between Mali, Europe, West and Central Africa.    This project will also provide training to the Ministry for Malians Abroad to help it set up programmes and policies aimed at encouraging a return of knowledge and expertise from the diaspora and investments into strategic sectors of the Malian economy, such as agriculture, education and health.     There are an estimated 4 million Malians abroad, including 2.7 million in Africa, mostly in Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, the DRC and Congo Brazzaville. The Malian expatriate community in France is estimated to be 700,000 strong.    This project is financed by IOM's 1035 Facility, which provides special support to IOM developing member states and member states with economies in transition for the development and implementation of joint government-IOM projects to address particular areas of migration management. Since its inception in 2001, the Facility has supported 179 projects in various areas of IOM activity and has benefited over 80 member states. For further information, please contact: Nicola Graviano IOM Bamako Tel: +223 229 76 98 E-mail: ""mailto:ngravianotdy@iom.int"">ngravianotdy@iom.int or Mahambé Sylla Tel: +223 229 76 97 E-mail: ""mailto:msylla@iom.int"">msylla@iom.int "