Mauritania Industry
Mining and processing of fish products dominate Mauritania’s industry. Small domestic market, poor infrastructure and low level of education among the workforce have hampered industrial development.
- According to ABBREVIATIONFINDER, MR stands for the country of Mauritania in geography.
The most important manufacturing industry is the food industry, although fish processing is not included. There is also some production of chemicals, building products, paper and packaging materials. A large oil refinery is located in the town of Nouâdhibou. Lack of maintenance and capital means that only a fraction of the plant’s capacity is utilized.
The majority of industrial companies are run by domestic entrepreneurs. There are legislation on tax relief for foreign companies similar to the special export zones introduced in many countries. But in Mauritania, there is no requirement for industries to be established in certain areas to obtain these favorable conditions.
- COUNTRYAAH: List of top trading partners of Mauritania. Includes countries that imported most shipments from and exported most goods to the country.
2020
May
Prayer bans are reintroduced
May 18
The ban on people gathering at prayer, for example at Friday prayers in the mosques, is reintroduced since the number of corona-infected residents increased rapidly after the ban was lifted a week earlier.
Relieves the restrictions
May 6
The government is easing some of the restrictions that have been put in place to curb the spread of the corona virus. Square trade is allowed as well as joint prayer in the mosques. The nightly curfew is shortened. The restaurants may sell take-out food but not serve food at the tables. Mauritania has eight confirmed coronavirus cases and one death in covid-19.
April
Rescue package from the World Bank
2 April
The World Bank presents a rescue package of $ 1.9 billion to be distributed among 25 developing countries. The money is a contribution to the fight against the corona pandemic. $ 5.2 million goes to Mauritania.
March
Measures against coronary pandemic
March 18th
Mauritania closes all airports for travel to and from the country, all schools are closed and nightly curfews are introduced. The measures are attempts by the authorities to stop the spread of the new corona virus, which has caused a pandemic. Travel between the country’s 13 regions is also not allowed.
Regime opponents return from exile
March 10
Four political opponents of President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz return to Mauritania after several years in exile. The reason is that Abdel Aziz’s loss in the presidential election (see June 2019) has led to a new political climate in the country. Those returning home are a journalist, poet, senator, and influential businessman Mohamed Ould Bouamatou. The latter is the cousin of Abdel Aziz and was previously one of his allies. However, they both became Osams and Bouamatou was charged with corruption. Following President Ghazouani’s entry in August 2019, the indictment against Bouamatou was dropped.
February
Emirate support for Mauritania
February 2
The UAE announces that an investment fund will be set up for Mauritania, which will also receive assistance and credit under “soft” terms. Mauritania fights jihadists in the Sahel region along with several neighboring countries, but the Ministry of Defense denies reports that the emirate (which applies zero tolerance to jihadists) should also establish a military base.