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Nouakchott Business Forum discusses security, climate change, others

Nov 23, 2023, 11:05 AM | Article By: Isatou Ceesay &  Pa Modou Cham

During the first session of Nouakchott Business Forum, participants from Arab and African countries dwelled on the importance of democracy, security, climate change and access to finance for Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) for sustainable economics.

 

The event, held at the Former Convention Center, brought together professors from different Universities, regional heads, Business individuals and journalists. Among other participants were Arab, African and European political decision-makers, public sector agencies, embassies and consulates accredited in Mauritania.

Throughout the forum, participants would work towards the economic empowerment of women and youth in the Arab-African world relying on their potential in the business and trade sectors by tapping into present opportunities including various regional markets, to contribute to the economic growth of our countries.

The forum, supported by the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) and Center for Information and Promotion of a New Africa (CIPINA), aims to foster economic autonomy and harness the potential of women and young people in the Arab-African realm, particularly in the business and trade sectors.

Speaking during the opening of the forum, Cheikh Tidiane Diouwara, the President of the International Network for Arab and African Journalists (RIJAA), explained that the forum is part of a dynamic initiated by the President of the Republic of Mauritania, His Excellency Mohamed Ould Cheikh el Ghazouani, since his accession to the supreme office in 2019. 

He added that the objective, through that forum, is mainly to share the excellent economic vision of the President of the Republic which bore fruit, since it made it possible to “return to growth, which went from -0.9% at the end of 2020 to 6.4% in 2022.

He added that the President’s vision had also made it possible to reduce the rate of external debt and [to] strengthen the confidence of partners and investors.

He said: “It is in this context that our Network, unique of its kind, and strong of these 200 journalist members from the Arab-African world, decided to organise this business forum in Mauritania, a country whose geographical location and stability represent great assets.”

He further reiterated that Mauritania intends to embody an ambitious and prosperous Africa, determined to create the conditions for rapid growth and development based on its immense potential in natural resources and its demographic dividend.