The Mauritanian economy is characterized by liberalism and openness; it offers important opportunities in various sectors; Investment projects are given great attention and particularly protected; Investors enjoy important privileges and can rely on a considerable trained labor.
The Mauritanian government has taken many measures to improve the business climate, adopted an investment code, and reviewed the codes relative to public transaction and trade; also, the government established a Single window and an Arbitration and Mediation Center.

Investment areas

Mines (iron, gold, copper, uranium, phosphate…);
Energy (gas, petroleum, clean and renewable energy…)
– Fishing (the possibility of catching 1.8 million tons and the required construction of manufacturing units and construction for unloading and processing to create added value);
Energy (gas, petroleum, clean and renewable energy…)
Agriculture and Livestock (over 500,000 arable hectares, including 140,000 irrigated hectares), 29.5 million head of livestock; among them camels, cows, lambs and goats;
Tourism (ranging from desert and environmental tourism, including over 754 km of Atlantic coast, numerous archaeological cities, palm oases and nature reserves…);
Transport, infrastructure, housing and real estate …
Free area in Nouadhibou-city with stimulating tax and customs system …

Facilitating procedures

For developing and facilitating investment procedures, a large number of infrastructure projects have been completed;
The road network, ports and airports have been expanded and modernized as follows:
Two cargo ports (Nouakchottt and Nouadhibou);
Traditional fishing port in Tanit;
International airports;
All major cities are connected to paved roads (enabling the de-isolation of the production areas);
Electricity, telephone and internet are available in all urban centers;
Vocational training schools;
At least one Hospital in each Wilaya and many specialized hospitals in Nouakchott.

To facilitate investment procedures and to protect investor rights, several steps have been taken, including:
Concentrating the procedures for contract establishment at the single window level, which has contributed significantly to reducing the costs and duration of the establishment of companies; Procedures take few days;
The establishment of a Central Risk Center at the level of the Central Bank of Mauritania;
Reduction of the steering interest rate to 9%;
Single window at the level of the port of Nouakchott to collect fees and royalties;
Freedom to transfer capitals and profits;
Freedom of access to raw materials;
Stimulating customs and tax exemptions;
Equality between the national investor and the foreign investor in the privileges.
Intellectual property protection

• Source: Ministry of Economy and Finance website
• Translated from the original Arab version by:
• Ahmedou Beibatt/ First Counsellor at the Embassy