Government Spokesperson: Frameworks and procedures have been put in place to ensure the regular supply of the national market with food and energy products
The Minister of Culture, Arts, Communication, and Relations with Parliament, Government Spokesperson Mr. El Houssein Ould Medou, stated that the Council of Ministers discussed with concern the current developments in the Middle East and their potential impact on the supply of essential goods to the national market.
The Minister explained, during his remarks on Wednesday at the press briefing hall at the Mauritanian News Agency headquarters in Nouakchott on the outcomes of the Council of Ministers meeting, accompanied by the Minister in charge of the General Secretariat of the Government Mr. Mokhtar El Housseinou Lam and the Minister of Energy and Oil Mr. Mohamed Ould Khaled, that the government has put in place the frameworks and procedures necessary to ensure the regular supply of the national market with food and energy products.
Regarding the taxes imposed on phones, the Minister stated that the sector was previously managed in an unorganized manner before being integrated into the customs system in coordination with the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.
The Ministry of Finance reduced the customs duty on phones from 32% to 30%, affirming that the level of tax pressure in Mauritania is among the lowest globally, at about 1.2%.
For his part, the Minister in charge of the General Secretariat of the Government, Mr. Mokhtar El Housseinou Lam, explained that the systematic monitoring mechanism for public projects was established based on high directives from the esteemed President of the Republic, Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, in September 2023, with the aim of enhancing the effectiveness of the implementation of major development projects and programs.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Mr. Mohamed Ould Khaled, during his review of the statement regarding the status of the national fuel market, explained that the national market is affected by fluctuations in the international market resulting from tensions in the Middle East region, which represents about 20% of global energy production. This has led to an increase in the price of a barrel of oil from $72 to $92, recently surpassing $100.
He reassured citizens that the state, in implementation of the instructions of His Excellency the President of the Republic, Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, has filled the strategic stock of fuels to its maximum capacity, affirming that the current situation of the national market is “very good.”
He added that there are confirmed orders including five tankers that will arrive before the end of this month, aiming to reinforce the stock and ensure that the tanks of the state and gas companies are full.
Regarding the prices of petroleum products, the Minister confirmed that the state is currently subsidizing diesel (mazut) by more than 100 Ouguiya per liter, while adhering to the law that prohibits increasing prices by more than 5% monthly, despite global pressures. Conversely, he announced a reduction in the price of gasoline by about 20 to 25 Ouguiya due to its lower price in the international market compared to diesel.
The Minister emphasized the state’s commitment to continue supporting strategic materials and providing the necessary resources for this, even if the barrel price reaches 140 dollars, while confirming the implementation of strict measures to combat the smuggling of these materials or manipulation in their distribution.