Recent reports indicate that the Mauritanian government is seeking to explore diamond, gold and offshore oil prospecting. Another obstacle to foreign investment has been the fickle enforcement of property rights. In particular, the ability of banks to use the legal system to seize assets from defaulting merchants. Mauritania is a member of OAPI, and is thus subject to the relevant international treaties concerning intellectual, artistic and industrial property rights and patents. Competition As Mauritania was once a French colony, it has strong commercial ties to France.
French banks provide loans, export credits, and economic assistance.
Spanish traders involved with the nearby Canary Islands also enjoy some trade favoritism in Mauritania. Mauritanians are increasingly open to business with American companies. Outlook Mauritania has been making sonorous overtures to Western nations. It is unfortunate that Mauritania suffers from harsh climatic conditions that can wreak havoc on the struggling agricultural sector.