Mauritania has the assets required to develop its productive sectors, which will help start the emergence of its economy, as was the case in several countries around the world, as the Minister of Economic Affairs and Promotion of Productive Sectors, Mr. Ousmane Mamoudou Kane, put it. <\/p>\n
The minister indicated, in an exclusive interview with Horizons magazine, that a study is underway to identify projects and develop forms of partnerships with private national and international investors, to boost national agricultural production, and this, without questioning land ownership as it is now. He also pointed out that similar work has just been launched to produce red meat and enhance livestock by-products (skins and horns). In both cases, they are studies geared towards the promotion of investment, by the private sector, with the support of the State, said Mr. Kane, anticipating the conclusions by the end of this semester. <\/p>\n
Horizons: The new title of your department now includes the promotion of productive sectors; what does this innovation mean? And has it already borne fruit? <\/p>\n
Minister of Economic Affairs: I have been asked a lot about the title of the department in recent days, and I understand that. A ministry in charge of economic affairs is, of course, also in charge of the promotion of the productive sectors. The fact of highlighting this element in the title of the department should be understood as a message and a strategic choice on the part of His Excellency the President of the Republic. This is to underline the importance he attaches to these sectors (agriculture, livestock, industries, fisheries) as sources of growth and jobs.
\nIt is, more precisely, a very clear instruction to give another dimension and a different face to the sectors of agriculture, livestock, and fishing. They are growth sectors and sources of employment for our youth. Our companies must, rationally and professionally, invest in the sector, modernize it, and develop it. These sectors have helped initiate the emergence of many countries around the world. Our country has the necessary assets for this purpose. It is up to the department to demonstrate that these are wealth-creating sectors, and to put in place the necessary environment for it to be taken over by the private sector.<\/p>\n
Since then, work has been initiated with our partners with a view to launching major investments for agricultural production and for the valuation of our livestock. With the World Bank, a study is underway to identify projects and develop forms of partnerships with private national and international investors, to boost national agricultural production, without questioning land ownership as it is now. With the African Development Bank, similar work has just been launched to produce red meat and enhance livestock by-products (skins and horns). In both cases, they are studies geared towards the promotion of investment, by the private sector, with the support of the state. The conclusions are expected by the end of this semester.<\/p>\n
Horizons: Mauritania has just launched the economic take-off plan. What does this plan consist of? And what phase of execution is it in? <\/p>\n
Minister of Economic Affairs: The President of the Republic announced to the Nation, on 2 September 2020, the launch by the Government of the President’s Extended Priority Program (ProPEP). The objective is threefold: to help those of our most disadvantaged citizens, to create jobs for our youth, and to boost growth. This is a program that should run for a maximum of 30 months. Above all, it must be carried out within the framework of established procedures, with the required transparency, and compliance with certain quality standards.
\nSince its adoption, the various ministerial departments in charge of the implementation of the components of the program have organized themselves to face this challenge. Its first months were marked by vibrant activity, which was blurred by the advent of the second wave of COVID-19. It is a real challenge, but I am confident it will be addressed. Everything suggests that 2021 will see the start and\/ or completion of several Program activities. Their achievement will be perceptible in the daily life of Mauritanians. Everyone’s efforts must be doubled …
\nHorizons: To finance this plan, Mauritania relies, in part, on its development partners. What resources have been mobilized so far?
\nMinister of Economic Affairs: As announced at the launch of the Program, it is envisaged that 60% of the cost of the Program will be financed from internal resources, and 40% from resources mobilized from our external partners. It is therefore about MRO 50 billion that should be mobilized as part of the implementation of ProPEP, in addition to other development projects for which the mobilization of funding must be continued. To date, we can count on more than 30 billion. We have no doubt the rest will follow later this year. Once again, these amounts are in addition to those mobilized or being mobilized for the realization of many other development projects in the country.<\/p>\n
Horizons: The COVID-19 pandemic has hit global economies hard. What has been its impact, in terms of figures, on the national economy? <\/p>\n
Minister of Economic Affairs: Like all countries in the world, the pandemic has seriously affected the national economy. In August 2020, it was estimated that the GDP would have negative growth of -3.2%. The real figure for 2020 has just been calculated: it is finally -2.0%. So we have done much better than the forecasts for August, but it is of course obvious that a 2% drop in national economic activity has an impact on the lives of citizens. Those most affected are Mauritanians who work in the tertiary sector: trade, transport, services, etc. They have suffered greatly from the necessary but painful measures taken by the State to preserve the health of the populations. Trade fell by over 9%, and transport fell by 3%. At the level of the secondary sector, the good behavior of the extractive industries must be commended. <\/p>\n
In addition, the production of iron ore contributed to limit the level of degradation of the growth rate. On the other hand, manufacturing activity fell sharply, recording a rate of -4%. The very sharp drop in the fishing sub-sector and the entire primary sector (agriculture, livestock, and fishing) has placed the decline in activity in this sector at -5.4%. The pandemic, at the origin of this underperformance, therefore had extremely unfortunate consequences on the national economy in 2020. However, we have every reason to believe and hope that 2021 will be very different, for all sectors. <\/p>\n
Horizons: You have just adopted a new approach to dealing with Mauritanian debt; can you enlighten the reader on this?
\nMinister of Economic Affairs: We, along with colleagues from the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank, have taken the initiative to explore all possible options to alleviate the burden of debt service on our public finances. This is justified, on the one hand by the weight it represents, and on the other hand by the obligation that the State must ensure, as a priority, the development of basic services and economic infrastructure, essential for productive investment and job creation. Debt restructuring, however, cannot be a unilateral action. We must convince our various partners to support us. The work launched last December therefore aims to take stock of the current national public debt situation, and then to develop proposals that could be acceptable to our various donors. This is the mission entrusted to the French Consortium recruited for this purpose, and whose final report is expected at the end of June. The work is in progress, with the active participation of Mauritanian experts. Contractual deadlines should be respected. The second phase will consist of approaching our donors, with proposals and concrete arguments, on the table.
\nHorizons: How do you explain the high poverty rate of the Mauritanian population while the country is endowed with abundant and diversified resources? <\/p>\n
Minister of Economic Affairs: Let us be more specific. The country is potentially rich. The resources are there, many and varied. Resources which, if properly developed, with adequate governance, should enable Mauritanians to emerge from the pangs of hunger and poverty. This is the challenge to address by the State, the Government, economic operators, etc. There are many investment opportunities. We still must create the right environment for it. <\/p>\n
The quality of human resources and infrastructure, access to national and foreign markets, fiscal policy, the judicial system, peace, and security are all essential parameters for attracting investments and fighting poverty. I believe that, on these different sites, the Government is active and is showing its way. It is a field open to all. <\/p>\n
Horizons: What prospects for the national economy in the short term? <\/p>\n
Minister of Economic Affairs: We are talking about gas, for 2023. We are talking about the expansion of Tasiast facilities and production capacity. SNIM has its own development plans. These are good and happy prospects for the country. However, I would like to emphasize the prospects for the development of agriculture and livestock. I am convinced that these sectors can attract significant investment, from the public, but especially from the private sector. We must work to translate the potential they represent into effective wealth for the Nation. So, our entrepreneurs, our youth, and our rural people can look forward to new, great, and beautiful prospects. <\/p>\n
Thank you.<\/p>\n
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