Landscape of a Nouakchott Beach by Photographer Patrick Galibert

DISCOVER MAURITANIA

 

  • Country Profile
Mauritania’s economy is dominated by natural resources and agriculture. Half the population still depends on agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though many nomads and subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s and 1980s. Recently, GDP growth has been driven by foreign investment in the mining and oil sectors.
Mauritania’s extensive mineral resources include iron ore, gold, copper, gypsum, and phosphate rock, and exploration is ongoing for uranium, crude oil, and natural gas. Extractive commodities make up about three-quarters of Mauritania’s total exports, subjecting the economy to price swings in world commodity markets. Mining is also a growing source of government revenue, rising from 13% to 29% of total revenue between 2006 and 2013. The nation’s coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world, and fishing accounts for about 25% of budget revenues, but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of revenue.
Risks to Mauritania’s economy include its recurring droughts, dependence on foreign aid and investment, and insecurity in neighboring Mali, as well as significant shortages of infrastructure, institutional capacity, and human capital. Mauritania has sought additional IMF support by focusing efforts on poverty reduction. Investment in agriculture and infrastructure are the largest components of the country’s public expenditures.

Source: Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Library

  • AGOA Apparel Status

Mauritania was designated as AGOA Eligible Country on January 1st 2010. Mauritania has not yet been declared eligible for Apparel Provision and does not benefit the Lesser Developed Country Special Rule for Apparel (3rd country fabric) nor Lesser Developed Country Rule for Certain Textile Articles (Category 0). Regarding the Category 9 Textile Products, Mauritania is not yet eligible to export Handloomed / Handmade, nor the folklore annex and ethnic printed fabrics.

  • United States of America Embassy to Mauritania
  • Mauritania Embassy to the United States 
  • Addresss: 2129 Leroy Place, Washington, DC 20008
    Phone: +1 (202) 232-5700 
    Fax: +1 (202) 319-2623
    Email: info@mauritaniembassy-usa.org
  • AGOA Trade Resource Center: Centre d’Information Mauritanien pour le Développement Economique et Technique
  • Contact: Ms. Mehla Mint Ahmed
    Tel: 222 4529 2882
    Cell: 222 3631 0733
    E-mail: mehla.ahmed@gmail.com
    Website: www.chambredecommerce.mr
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