Algeria-Mauritania: New projects to foster strategic partnership
A new stone has been added to the edifice of Algeria-Mauritania relations, with several joint strategic projects inaugurated and launched on Thursday in the border province of Tindouf by the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, and his brother, the President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, sister country, Mr. Mohamed Ould Sheikh El Ghazouani.
The agreement covers two fixed border crossings, the Tindouf-Zouerate road project and the free-trade zone project.
The two presidents launched these projects, designed to boost the region's prosperity. On site, they received a detailed briefing on the activities of the two fixed border crossings between the two countries, before proceeding to their inauguration. The border crossing on the Algerian side is equipped with all the necessary amenities and should boost business ties between the two countries, and development in the border regions.
The two presidents then kicked off the 840-km road project linking Tindouf to Zouerate, which heralds a new stage in the historical relations between Algeria and Mauritania and should open up important international road routes to enable Algerian operators to access African markets via Mauritania.
This strategic project will also consolidate economic cooperation between businessmen and fluidify trade. Ten Algerian companies are involved in this vital project, as well as an Algerian design office which is responsible for its follow-up. For the first time since its independence, this project offers Algeria the opportunity to build a major infrastructure outside its borders.
On this occasion, the President of the Republic insisted on the need to accelerate the completion of this project through the adoption of a continuous work system, asserting that the completion of this project should open up new prospects for cooperation between the two countries.
For his part, the Mauritanian President thanked the President of the Republic for his commitment to bringing this vital Tindouf-Zouerate road project to fruition, congratulating both countries on this major achievement.
The two presidents laid the foundation stone for the project to create a free-trade zone between the two countries, designed to act as a link for trade and industrial exchanges between Algeria and the countries of West Africa, as explained on site.
This zone is one of 5 free-trade zones planned for Tin Zaouatine, Timiaouine, Bordj Badji Mokhtar and Debdeb, in the far south of the country. This major project should also help to increase the volume of trade between Algeria and its sister country Mauritania, which is currently enjoying steady growth.
Given its position close to the border crossing, this free zone should also add value and give a strong boost to trade between Algeria and Mauritania, as well as with all the countries in the region, which record a high volume of imports and exports.
In this context, the President of the Republic affirmed that "Mauritanian goods and merchandise of clear origin are welcome" and will be "tax-exempt", as will Algerian products, inviting Mauritanian economic operators to "invest in the free zone and take advantage of tax and customs exemptions.”
He also announced that he and his Mauritanian counterpart had agreed on a forthcoming meeting between the two countries' trade ministers to "strengthen cooperation and bilateral trade through the creation of banks and the facilitation of access for goods and merchandise.”
For his part, the Mauritanian President underlined the importance of this road, which will link the two brotherly countries, saying that the free zone will be "a meeting place and a link for trade.”
President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani also praised Algeria's efforts to foster bilateral cooperation.