Middle East and Central Asia > Mauritania, Islamic Republic of

You are looking at 1 - 10 of 16 items for :

  • Type: Journal Issue x
  • Foreign exchange x
Clear All Modify Search
International Monetary Fund. Middle East and Central Asia Dept.
This paper highlights Islamic Republic of Mauritania’s Second Reviews under the Arrangements under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), Requests for Modification of Performance Criteria and a Waiver of Nonobservance of Performance Criterion, and First Review under the Arrangement under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). In 2024, economic growth is expected to improve, while inflation has slowed down significantly. However, the economic outlook remains uncertain. Continued implementation of the programs under the ECF and EFF arrangements, and of the ambitious reform measures to address climate-related vulnerabilities, supported by the RSF arrangement will help address Mauritania’s medium- and long-term challenges and catalyze additional financing from donors and the private sector. End-March 2024 indicative targets for net international reserves, net domestic assets (NDA), new arrears and the present value of newly contracted debt were also met. December 2023 and March 2024 structural benchmarks (SBs) were met. IMF supports the authorities’ request for a modification of the NDA performance criteria for end-June to end-December 2024 from changes to levels, and a modification of two SBs related to governance reforms, in line with IMF technical assistance recommendations.
International Monetary Fund. Middle East and Central Asia Dept.
This selected issue paper discusses the desirable institutional and macro-financial conditions and optimal path toward greater exchange rate flexibility in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. It also identifies the macro-financial risks that arise and mitigation measures supporting a smooth transition and discusses reforms needed for a successful and smooth shift, including the need for an alternative nominal anchor and modern monetary policy framework, more developed financial markets, and resilient financial sector. Mauritania is a small economy exposed to terms-of-trade shocks. The current account deficit is volatile and sometimes sizeable. International reserves remained adequate until 2021 but are expected to fall around the adequacy threshold due to the negative external shock. A more flexible exchange rate would reduce the economy’s vulnerability to external shocks and preserve international reserves. Countries that are heavily reliant on a single commodity or a group of commodities need more exchange rate flexibility to respond to changes in world commodity prices and to mitigate their spillovers into other sectors.
International Monetary Fund. Middle East and Central Asia Dept.
This paper discusses Mauritania’s First Review Under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangement. The outlook is positive, although considerable challenges remain to achieve high and inclusive growth. Vulnerabilities remain elevated and sustained reforms are needed to entrench macroeconomic stability; achieve inclusive growth that creates employment and reduces poverty; and improve the business climate and governance. Policy implementation has been satisfactory and the program is on track. All end-December 2017 performance criteria and eight of the ten structural benchmarks for December 2017–March 2018 were met; the remaining two were implemented with a one-month delay. The IMF staff recommends completion of the first review under the three-year ECF arrangement.
International Monetary Fund. Middle East and Central Asia Dept.
Contexte. L’économie mauritanienne se heurte à un choc majeur négatif des termes de l’échange plus persistant qu’initialement prévu. Les faibles cours du minerai de fer ont ralenti la croissance et réduit les recettes d’exportation et les réserves internationales nettes, creusé le déficit budgétaire et accru les risques pesant sur la stabilité financière. À l’inverse, le repli des cours du pétrole a fourni un certain appui sur les plans extérieur et budgétaire. Le taux de change a continué de s’apprécier en termes réels en 2015, allant ainsi à l’encontre de l’évolution défavorable des termes de l’échange. L’impact de cette détérioration est aggravé par le manque de diversification de la production, les faiblesses structurelles et la marge de manœuvre limitée des pouvoirs publics, compte tenu du niveau élevé de la dette publique et les tensions s’exerçant sur les volants extérieurs. Perspectives et risques. Les perspectives économiques laissent entrevoir un rebond de l’activité à 4,1 % en 2016, mais elles sont sujettes à des risques baissiers et l’économie reste vulnérable aux chocs exogènes. À moyen terme, les politiques courantes exerceront des tensions persistantes sur les réserves et aboutiront à un niveau d’endettement élevé en raison des plans d’investissement public. Une activité économique atone pourrait compromettre la capacité du secteur financier à drainer le crédit vers le secteur privé et, partant, nuire aux efforts visant à promouvoir une croissance plus diversifiée et plus robuste. À court terme, l’économie se montre surtout vulnérable à une montée des cours du brut, à un repli des cours du minerai de fer.
International Monetary Fund. Middle East and Central Asia Dept.
This paper discusses the impact of the global economic slump on the Mauritanian economy, which faces a significant negative terms-of-trade shock that is more persistent than initially envisaged. The impact of the international shock is compounded by a narrow production base, structural weaknesses, and limited policy space related to elevated public debt and pressures on external buffers. The outlook sees a recovery in economic activity to 4.1 percent in 2016, but risks to the outlook are tilted to the downside. The present economic uncertainty has prompted Mauritania to call for an ambitious policy adjustment to diversify the economy and promote inclusive growth for a determined reform agenda.
International Monetary Fund. Middle East and Central Asia Dept.
KEY ISSUES Context. Mauritania’s economy has benefited from macroeconomic stability and high growth in the context of contained inflation, responsible macro-policies, high iron ore prices and scaled-up public investment. However, economic growth has not translated into broadly improved living standards and is being hit by a sharp decline in iron ore prices. Outlook and Risks. Although the outlook remains favorable, it hinges heavily on stabilizing iron ore prices and expanding mining capacity. Downside risks to the outlook dominate because iron ore prices may decline further in response to excess supply in the global market. Key Policy Recommendations. With high risk of debt distress and deteriorating terms of trade, Mauritania’s fiscal policy needs to remain focused on consolidation to support fiscal sustainability. Over the medium term, a fiscal framework with a full-fledged fiscal rule will help prevent the boom–bust cycles that ensue from volatility in natural resource revenue, and with strengthened governance in managing mining wealth. The central bank should take advantage of the low-inflation environment to strengthen monetary policy formulation, gradually liberalize the foreign exchange market, and introduce liquidity support and banking resolution frameworks. The implementation of the recent FSAP recommendations should be pursued to enhance the stability of the financial sector stability. Economic diversification and inclusive growth are the foremost medium-term challenges. The authorities should accelerate structural reforms needed to raise Mauritania’s potential growth, create jobs, and improve living standards for all Mauritanians. Article VIII. A comprehensive analysis of the foreign exchange market identified exchange restrictions and multiple currency practices (MCPs) subject to Fund approval under Article VIII. Effective November 20, 2013, the exchange rate regime is classified as “stabilized” arrangement.
International Monetary Fund. Middle East and Central Asia Dept.
Mauritania successfully weathered several exogenous shocks during 2011–12. Political upheaval in neighboring countries has not had detrimental economic effects so far, but political uncertainty remains high. Resilient growth and a continued buildup of external and fiscal buffers characterize better-than-expected macroeconomic developments. Ambitious structural reforms are vital for generating broad-based inclusive growth, promoting employment, and reducing poverty. The authorities will continue to improve transparency and economic statistics. Policy actions laid the foundation for a sound macroeconomic performance, although important challenges and vulnerabilities remain.
International Monetary Fund
Depuis plusieurs années, le FMI publie un nombre croissant de rapports et autres documents couvrant l'évolution et les tendances économiques et financières dans les pays membres. Chaque rapport, rédigé par une équipe des services du FMI à la suite d'entretiens avec des représentants des autorités, est publié avec l'accord du pays concerné.
International Monetary Fund
This Article IV Consultation reports that the economic growth of Mauritania is robust, which reflected prudent economic management, sustained donor support, and the beginning of oil production. Executive Directors observed that the return of constitutional order to Mauritania has established a basis for the resumption of the reform agenda and of financial support from the international community. They commended the authorities’ commitment to protect poverty-related spending. They also highlighted the need to expand and strengthen safety nets and social protection.