A majority of the population still depends on agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though most of the nomads and many subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore, which account for almost 50% of total exports. The decline in world demand for this ore, however, has led to cutbacks in production. The nation's coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world, but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of revenue. The country's first deepwater port opened near Nouakchott in 1986. In recent years, drought and economic mismanagement have resulted in a buildup of foreign debt. In March 1999, the government signed an agreement with a joint World Bank-IMF mission on a $54 million enhanced structural adjustment facility (ESAF). The economic objectives have been set for 1999-2002. Privatization remains one of the key issues. Mauritania is unlikely to meet ESAF's annual GDP growth objectives of 4%-5%. GDP: |
A majority of the population still depends on agriculture and livestock? for a livelihood, even though most of the nomads and many subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore, which account for almost 50% of total exports. The decline in world demand for this ore, however, has led to cutbacks in production. The nation's coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world, but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of revenue. The country's first deepwater port opened near Nouakchott? in 1986. In recent years, drought and economic mismanagement have resulted in a buildup of foreign debt. In March 1999, the government signed an agreement with a joint World Bank-IMF mission on a $54 million enhanced structural adjustment facility (ESAF?). The economic objectives have been set for 1999-2002. Privatization remains one of the key issues. Mauritania is unlikely to meet ESAF's annual GDP growth objectives of 4%-5%. GDP: |
fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum |
fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum? |
dates, millet, sorghum, root crops; cattle, sheep; fish products |
date?s, millet?, sorghum?, [root crops]?; cattle, sheep?; fish products |
fish and fish products, iron ore, gold |
fish and fish products, iron ore, gold |
Japan 24%, Italy 17%, France 14%, Spain 8% (1997) |
Japan 24%, Italy 17%, France 14%, Spain 8% (1997) |
machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods |
machinery and equipment, petroleum products, [capital goods]?, foodstuffs, [consumer goods]? |
France 26%, Spain 8%, Germany 7%, Benelux 7% (1997) |
France 26%, Spain 8%, Germany 7%, Benelux 7% (1997) |
1 ouguiya (UM) = 5 khoums |
1 ouguiya? (UM) = 5 khoums |