Official Name

Islamic Republic of Mauritania

Capital

Nouakchott

Currency

Ouguiya (MRO)

Population

2005 estimate 3,069,000 (135th)

Main Languages

Arabic

Total GDP

$7.159 billion (144th) 2005 estimate

Real GDP Growth

1,058 billion (1999)

Main Economic Sector

Traditionally, Mauritania's economy was based on livestock in the north and the agricultural development south along the Senegal River.

The production of iron ore since 1959, copper since Zeine Ould 1967 and the industrialisation of fishing in the Zeidane 1980s have brought a fair degree of growth in the 20 Prime Minister years after independence was gained in 1960.

The state formerly depended on iron ore exports for most of its budget revenues, but now it is divided equally between mining and fishing.

Severe drought has often affected the economy of Mauritania. As a result of the drought of 1982-4, a third of the population now lives in the urban centres throughout the country.

According to the World Bank in 1992, Mauritania's Gross Domestic Product was $1.08 billion, its GNP per capita $530 and its International reserves stood at $65 million.

India -Mauritania Relation Commercial and Economic Relations

• Indian Exports :USD 18.04 mn , 2003-04, USD 17.82 mn , April-December, 2004
• Indian Imports :USD 0.03 mn, 2003-04, USD 1.20 mn April-December, 2003-04
• Main Indian exports: Cotton textiles, dyes, plastic and linoleum products, metal products and transport equipment.
• Main Indian imports: Metal scrap
• Mauritania has a potential to be a gateway for entry of Indian products in west and central Africa. Textiles, house hold gadgets, pharmaceuticals and IT offer good potential for India. There are opportunities for Indian companies like ONGC, BPCL, IBP etc. in petroleum and gas sector in Mauritania. Indian companies can also participate in the infrastructure sector.
• A two member business delegation visited India from 2-4th March, 2005 to Participate in the CII Conclave on "India - Africa Project Partnership, 2005."

Main Tourist Attraction

Mauritania is a unique country, and a rich ethnic mosaic that reflects its history as a crossroads territory that attracted Arab-Berber peoples, who arrived from the north, and Sub-Saharan African peoples, who came from the south. Their confluence makes the whole wealth and originality of Mauritanian culture. For centuries, Mauritania was essentially a country of nomads until the late 1960s and early 1970s, when severe droughts and creeping desertification drove vast numbers of nomads from rural areas into rapidly growing towns and cities.

Although there has been a significant increase in tourism from Europe in recent years, Mauritania is largely waiting to be discovered by American tourists. To date, foreign tourists have been drawn by Mauritania 's dual jewels of "ecotourism," such as the coastal wildlife sanctuary of "Banc d'Arguin," and its cultural historical sites, such as Chinguetti, the 7th holiest city of Islam. Chinguetti, Ouadane, Oualata and Tichitt are ancient cities that welcomed caravans crossing North Africa and, collectively, are registered on UNESCO's world heritage list as one site.

Main Imports

Machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods.

Main Exports

Fish and Fish products, Iron ore, Gold.

Main Contact in New Delhi

 

Indian Embassy

 

Visa Procedure

Visas are required by all visitors except the citizens of France and Italy.

On arrival, you will be required to fill out a currency and valuables declaration form and you must report to the police at your first large town.

Going to Mali, you will pass through a checkpoint and there are a number of checks if you are travelling south to Nouadhibou.

Chamber of Commerce

PO Box 215, Avenue de la Republique
Mauritania, Mauritania
Phone: (222) 2-52214 Fax: (222) 2-53895

 

Airport & Harbour

Town	Airport name	ICAO	IATA	Runway	IFR Rwy length
Aioun-El-Atrouss	Aioun-El-Atrouss	GQNA	AEO	Paved	No 5200 ft
Akjoujt	Akjoujt	GQNJ	AJJ	Unpaved	No 5200 ft
Atar	Atar	GQPA	ATR	Paved	No 9800 ft
Bir Moghrein	Bir Moghrein	GQPT		Paved	No 5900 ft
Bogue	Bogue	GQNE	BGH	Unpaved	No 3100 ft
Boutilimit	Boutilimit	GQNB	OTL	Unpaved	No 3900 ft
F'derik	F'derik	GQPF	FGD	Unpaved	No 5900 ft
Kaedi	Kaedi	GQNK	KED	Paved	No 8200 ft
Kiffa	Kiffa	GQNF	KFA	Paved	No 5200 ft
Moudjeria	Letfotar	GQNL	MOM	Unpaved	No 5200 ft
Nema	Nema	GQNI	EMN	Paved	No 6800 ft
Nouadhibou	Nouadhibou	GQPP	NDB	Paved	Yes 7900 ft
Nouakchott	Nouakchott	GQNN	NKC	Paved	Yes 9800 ft
Selibabi	Selibabi	GQNS	SEY	Paved	No 3900 ft
Tamchakett	Tamchakett	GQNT	THT	Unpaved	No 3600 ft
Tichit	Tichit	GQNC	THI	Unpaved	No 8700 ft
Tidjikja	Tidjikja	GQND	TIY	Unpaved	No 5200 ft
Timbedra	Dahara	GQNM		Unpaved	No 3600 ft
Timbedra	Timbedra	GQNH	TMD	Unpaved	No 4100 ft
Zoueratt	Tazadit	GQPZ	OUZ	Unpaved	No 7800 ft