Mauritania recently participated in the Board of Directors meetings of the Franco-Arab Chamber of Commerce and the fifth session of the Franco-Arab Economic Summit, held on December 11 and 12 in Paris.
The Chamber’s Board of Directors convened on June 7, 2024, to review and approve key financial and operational documents, including interim accounts as of December 31, 2024, the proposed 2025 budget, and the Chamber’s initial work plan and meeting schedule for the upcoming year.
A notable agenda item was the formation of an Arab-side committee tasked with shortlisting four candidates to fill the vacant position of Secretary General.
The final selection will be confirmed at an extraordinary session scheduled for January 2025, which will be conducted via videoconference.
Mauritania’s participation was led by Cheikh Al-Afia Ould Mohamed Khouna, head of the Mauritanian Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture.
Strengthening Franco-Arab Cooperation
Established in 1970, the Franco-Arab Chamber of Commerce operates under France’s 1901 Law on Associations and the 1956 legislation regulating the use of “Chamber of Commerce” in its title.
It serves as a collaborative platform aimed at fostering industrial, financial, agricultural, and tourism cooperation between France and the 22 member states of the Arab League, including Mauritania.
According to its official website, the Chamber works to “develop and strengthen trade relations and industrial partnerships between French and Arab economic decision-makers.”
A High-Profile Economic Summit
The fifth session of the Franco-Arab Economic Summit coincided with the Board meeting on December 12 and was attended by French President Emmanuel Macron.
This summit was co-organized by the Franco-Arab Chamber of Commerce, the Union of Arab Chambers, and the Confederation of Small and Medium Enterprises (CPME), with support from several organizations, including Business France and MEDEF International.
During the summit, Mauritania’s ambassador to France and the president of the Mauritanian Chamber of Commerce showcased the country’s vast potential in various sectors, such as minerals, energy, marine fisheries, agriculture, livestock, and services.
These remarks highlighted Mauritania’s readiness to expand partnerships and attract foreign investments, as reported by the Mauritanian News Agency.
