Signing of a loan and Grant Agreement between our Country and France to finance the Tamourt Inaaj Development Project
Nouakchott
the Minister of Economic Affairs and Development, Mr. Abdullah Suleiman Al-Cheikh Sidya, the French Ambassador to Mauritania, His Excellency Mr. Emmanuel Bastet, and the Director of the French Development Agency in Mauritania, Mr. Ignace Monkam-Daverat, signed today, Tuesday in Nouakchott, two agreements—a loan and a grant—to finance the Namah Tamourt Inaj project.
Under these agreements, the French Development Agency will provide our country with a total amount of 40 million euros, equivalent to 1.84 billion Mauritanian Ouguiya, in addition to a grant of 3 million euros, equivalent to 138 million Mauritanian Ouguiya.
the Minister of Economic Affairs and Development explained in a speech on the occasion that the Namah Tamourt Inaj project aims to create an integrated development hub in the Tamourt Inaj area, which is rich in agricultural, pastoral, and tourist resources, in addition to significant surface water resources that, if utilized, could represent a key driver for growth, food security, job creation, combating unemployment, and curbing migration.
He added that our country, aware of the importance of advancing the rural sector to develop the resilience of the population and reduce social and economic vulnerability, has, over recent years and according to the high directives of His Excellency the President of the Republic, Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, worked on developing infrastructure in rural areas through integrated programs covering roads, water, electricity, communications, and health and educational services, with the development of national wetland areas being included among the public authorities’ priorities.
He pointed out that this project includes several components aimed at the wise and sustainable use of natural resources, controlling the area’s biological wealth, and supporting the resilience of local communities in facing climate change.
For his part, the French ambassador accredited to our country confirmed that this funding embodies France’s commitment to supporting national policies in the areas of food security, poverty reduction, and the promotion of rural development, praising the quality of bilateral cooperation, which currently includes 41 projects being implemented with a value of nearly 430 million euros, in the sectors of water, social protection, agricultural, and pastoral development.
He stated that ‘Tamourt Inaj’ possesses high agricultural and ecological capacities that require investment and protection, pointing out that the project will allow for the reclamation of thousands of hectares, the restoration of vegetation cover, sand stabilization, and the development of farmers’ capabilities, benefiting more than 500 vulnerable families and 1,500 cooperatives.
The signing ceremony was attended by the Secretaries-General of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Development, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, as well as a number of sector officials, in addition to local elected representatives.