Launch of the first session of the Mauritanian Indian Business Forum

8/22/20263 min read

The inaugural session of the Mauritanian Indian Business Forum kicked off this Friday evening in Nouakchott, held under the theme: "Mauritania and India: A Partnership to Shape the Future."

The forum, attended by businesspeople and investors from both nations, aims to strengthen economic and investment ties between Mauritania and India, expand areas of cooperation and partnership, and explore new opportunities for economic stakeholders. These efforts seek to foster joint ventures and support the diversification of the national economy.

In his address, the Minister of Economic Affairs and Development, Mr. Abdallah Ould Souleymane Ould Cheikh Sidya, emphasized that the forum marks a significant milestone in the distinguished relationship between Mauritania and India, offering an opportunity to elevate ties to a broader level of economic and investment partnership.

He noted that relations between the two countries are grounded in a solid foundation of friendship and mutual respect, adding that the current period presents an opportunity to channel this foundation into more effective partnerships—making trade, investment, technology transfer, and the exchange of expertise the pillars of their joint cooperation.

He further stated that the Mauritanian government-acting on the directives of the President of the Republic, Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani-is working to improve the business climate, boost the private sector's role, attract productive investments, and diversify the national economy. These efforts involve creating a more attractive investment environment, developing infrastructure, enhancing the institutional and legal framework, and streamlining procedures for investors.

He highlighted that Mauritania offers promising investment opportunities across various sectors, including mining, renewable energy, green hydrogen, fisheries, agriculture, infrastructure, logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, and the digital economy. For his part, Mr. El-Tah Ahmed Mouloud, Director General of the Investment Promotion Agency of Mauritania, emphasized that India is a key economic, industrial, and technological partner. He highlighted India's expertise in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, engineering, agriculture, food processing, energy, mining, infrastructure, technology, and digital services, noting that these areas align with Mauritania’s economic potential—particularly its mineral resources, fisheries, livestock, agricultural capacity, natural gas reserves, and renewable energy.

He stated that merely possessing resources is insufficient unless they are transformed into industries, value chains, job opportunities, and national capabilities. He explained that Mauritania’s ambition is to transition gradually from an economy heavily reliant on resource extraction and export to a productive economy that processes and transforms a larger share of its resources domestically.

In turn, Mr. Mohamed El-Afdal Ould Bettah, Vice President of the National Union of Mauritanian Employers, underscored the forum's importance in strengthening economic and trade ties between Mauritania and India. He noted that it opens broader horizons for the private sectors in both countries to capitalize on available investment opportunities.

He pointed out that while Mauritania possesses promising potential and opportunities across various sectors, India brings advanced expertise and experience that can contribute to the development of these sectors.

He also expressed the Mauritanian private sector's readiness to collaborate with Indian counterparts to establish sustainable economic partnerships and translate cooperation opportunities into tangible projects that support development and the diversification of the national economy. For his part, Mr. Sid Mohamed Ould El Kaam, President of the Mauritania-India Business Forum, described the forum as marking a new chapter in relations between the two nations-one defined by investment and economic partnerships. He emphasized that the political and human ties uniting Mauritania and India should be translated into tangible projects and joint investment opportunities.

He commended the efforts aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries and fostering partnerships between their private sectors to serve shared economic and developmental interests.

H.E. Mr. Neeraj Agrawal, Ambassador of the Republic of India to Mauritania, underscored the importance of the inaugural Mauritania-India Business Forum, noting its role as a platform for enhancing communication between economic stakeholders in both countries and exploring new avenues for cooperation and investment.

He pointed out that relations between Mauritania and India are steadily growing and that both nations possess significant potential to build fruitful partnerships across various sectors, most notably mining, energy, agriculture, fisheries, pharmaceuticals, technology, and infrastructure.

He expressed hope that the forum would contribute to transforming available cooperation opportunities into concrete projects and investments that benefit both countries and their peoples.

Meanwhile, Mr. Amit Badia, head of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) delegation, stated that the Indian business delegation is eager to explore investment opportunities in Mauritania. He highlighted the vast prospects for cooperation in sectors such as mining, energy, infrastructure, agriculture, fisheries, health, pharmaceuticals, digital technology, logistics, education, and vocational training. He noted that Indian expertise in technology, manufacturing, project implementation, and human resource development could complement Mauritania’s aspirations to diversify its economy and foster growth and comprehensive development. He expressed hope that discussions between economic stakeholders would yield tangible projects and investments in the near future.

The event saw the signing of a cooperation agreement between the National Union of Mauritanian Employers and the Confederation of Indian Industry, aimed at strengthening cooperation and partnership between the private sectors of both nations and fostering joint exchanges and investments.

The event also marked the announcement of the establishment of the Mauritania-India Business Council, serving as a framework to enhance communication between businesspeople and investors from both countries and to facilitate economic and investment partnerships across various sectors of mutual interest.

Mauritanian News Agency

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