Signing of Cooperation Agreement on Youth Employment in Rural Areas

The Minister of Employment, Youth and Sports ,Mr Taleb Ould SidAhmed, signed today, 11 February, with the United Nations Development Program resident representative in Mauritania, Mr Anthony Nkororano, an agreement about youth employment in rural areas, giving chance to 2000 young men and women in both Assaba and Guidimagha .

This agreement aims to develop entrepreneurship in rural area by promoting small business in the field of agriculture and livestock development.

This 1.500.000 us dollars project is one of many financed by the United Nations Development Program in cooperation relation with the employment sector in Mauritania.
In a speech on the occasion the Minister emphasised that this kind of projects is a trigger to youth employment development that the coordinating office is working on it, pinpointing that it is ideal in the rural environment.

He added when it succeed, the project will cover the whole national territory. And he noted that by getting rid of unemployment in rural areas will decrease the pressure on capital city.

On his turn the UNDP representative declared that this agreement is the result of cooperation between Mauritania and the UNDP, clarifying that this project which gives benefits to 1700 women represents phase one of an initiative to create job opportunities for youth.

He also added that the project will prioritize poorest and farther area from the capital city by creating more jobs opportunities.

From his part, the in charge of development unit in the UNDP, Mr Mali Diagana, confirmed that the goal of this kind of projects is to implement climate of employment for youth and women.

The female component represents two-thirds of United Nations Development Program concerns.

He added that through this project women business cooperation will be developed, the fight against poverty, and job opportunities that take into account environmental controls in Mauritania.