Mauritania FM: Mauritania Is Working to Resolve High Duties on Moroccan Produce

Rabat – Mauritania is working on possible solutions to resolve the issue of high customs duties imposed on Moroccan produce, said Mauritanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug on Monday.

The produce in question is entering Mauritania through the Guergarate border in southern Morocco.

Merzoug’s statement comes against the backdrop of a recent decision by the Mauritanian government to increase customs duties on vegetables imported from Morocco by over 10%.

Moroccan Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita with his Mauritanian counterpart

“We can find solutions to all issues within the existing cooperation framework, especially some pending ones such as the movement of trucks, and I have informed the FM minister that there is currently a process in place to address the issue,” Merzoug said during a press conference following a meeting with Moroccan Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita.

Expressing confidence that collaborative efforts would lead to viable solutions, he reinforced the prospects for stronger and deeper relations between Morocco and Mauritania.

For his part, Nasser Bourita acknowledged the unique historical ties that bind the two nations, citing geographical proximity, blood relations, and strong spiritual connections between the peoples of Morocco and Mauritania.

Bourita highlighted the importance of these relations for King Mohammed VI, emphasizing the monarch’s commitment to their development across various domains.

Morocco and Mauritanian flags side by side

The Moroccan diplomat noted Morocco’s status as the leading African investor in Mauritania, highlighting King Mohammed VI’s ambition to strategically elevate these economic ties.

The unexpected increase in customs taxes has raised concerns with the Mauritanian Consumer Forum, which strongly condemns the measure, arguing that it is set to “exacerbate the challenges faced by Mauritanian consumers.”

“We condemn this measure, which aggravates concerns and erodes the purchasing power of the consumer, already burdened by the continuous rise in prices, the monopoly, and high prices,” the Forum said in a statement on January 6.

Morocco and Mauritania enjoy a robust trading relationship. As of 2021, Morocco’s exports to Mauritania stood at $282 million, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity. Meanwhile, Mauritania’s exports to Morocco reached $1.6 million in the same year.