Dialogue between Secretary-general of China-Africa Industrial Forum Cheng Zhigang and Bal Mohamed El Habib, Mauritania's ambassador to China

On morning of December 23, 2010,Secretary-General Cheng Zhigang of China Africa Industrial Forum had a dialogue with Mauritania's ambassador BaI Mohamed EI Habib in Mauritania's embassy to China. The ambassador and Counselor warmly received Secretary-General. At the same time, both had a nice conversation.

First, Secretary-General thanked ambassador for His reception. At the same time, Secretary-General introduced the forum's survey, activities and future development  direction. The ambassador expressed his appreciation for forum's activities aim and also expressed his thanks for forum's contribution in China-Africa exchanges. Meanwhile, Secretary-General introduced ambassador forum that will publish a book as China-Africa Business Guide. Ambassador expressed great interest for the book to be published. Ambassador EI Habib also said Mauritania Embassy will give its full assistant if forum needs some materials in the course of collecting and editing.

Secretary-General: China- Mauritania has maintained a long-term stable relationship from establishing diplomatic relations in 1965 to now, How do you evaluate the achievements of the bilateral exchange?

Ambassador: First ,We thank China Africa Industrial Forum for concerns. China Africa Industrial Forum is a very expensive initiative of the institutions. The activities hold by forum fully reflects the Chinese people's concern for African countries, as well as the friendly relations between China and Africa countries.

Mauritania is one of earliest African country to establish diplomatic relations with China and holds the long-term friendly exchanges with China. This friendly relationship is on the basis of mutual respect and trust. In the framework of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, both mutually coordinated, trust and maintains a high degree of consensus position.

China-Mauritius bilaterally friendly relations is the foundation of various fields' cooperation fields. The two sides in trade, mining, fisheries, agriculture and medical fields have always cooperation. Especially in infrastructure construction, China has made great contribution for Mauritania's  infrastructure construction related to the significant economic and social development. Such as, roads, airports, ports and telecommunications and mobile phone projects, as well as Parliament House, Youth House, the Olympic Park, the Republic of the Office of the President, Prime Minister's Office, and the Foreign Ministry building are Chinese investment in construction projects. The above those fully reflected cooperation fruits in the field of infrastructure of two countries.

In addition, high-level visits between the two countries also reflects the continued consolidation and further bilateral relations. March 26, 2008, China Central Committee Political Bureau Standing Committee Li Changchun leaded delegation to visit Mauritania; September 26, 2009, ssistant of Foreign Minister Zhai Jun also visited Mauritania when friendship harbor was expanded.

Secetary-General: As the ambassador said, on the basis of friendly relations between the two countries, Chinese enterprises are also very concerned about the investment and development in Africa. What advantages does your country to attract foreign investors?

Ambassador: First of all, Mauritania has advantageous location. Mauritania is in North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa' crossroads, but also in Europe, the Middle East, West Africa and the Americas, the Atlantic intersection. This provide an advantage to access to Africa, Europe and the American markets.

Second, Mauritania's political environment is relatively stable. In particular, July 18, 2009. President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz open democratic elections and win political stability.

Also, opening economy policies are conducive to private sector development.

In addition, Mauritania established a series of tax, administrative and regulatory policies to protect and promote domestic and foreign investment. These are conducive to investment.

Secretary-General: Could you tell us about potential areas of investment in Mauritania and which industries?

Ambassador: Mauritanian's iron ore is rich that reserves and production ranks is second in Africa. In addition there are copper, gypsum, phosphate and gold and other resources. In addition, oil and gas resources are abundant. Moreover, fishing is also very important industry in our country.

Mauritanian's main export products is iron ore and fisheries products. Main iron ore exports to the EU. fishery products exports to Spain, Japan, Nigeria etc. Energy, mineral products, food, agricultural products, machinery, equipment and consumer products mainly depends on imports. Production and living materials need to import more than 80%, of which 32% are food, machinery and equipment 25%, 9% for the car, the other for the chemical, building materials, petroleum, textile supplies. 80% of imports from the EU. The oil comes from Algeria. Main trade partners are: France, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, China and so on.

Secretary-General: Currently, China Africa Industrial Forum is planning to publish a book called "walk into Africa - China-Africa new Opportunities of Business". This will cover business and investment's guides including 49 African countries to establish diplomatic relations with China.

Ambassador: I think the idea is very good. I think Chinese readers not only can make better, more comprehensive and deeper understanding of African countries, but also helpful for interaction between African countries. If you need information about Mauritania, the Embassy will cooperate fully. We hope this is the new starting cooperation with China Africa industrial. I believe the cooperation will be fruitful.

Finally, ambassador gave industrial inscription for China Africa Industrial Forum. He expressed his praise for forum' s contribution between China-Africa exchanges and cooperation. Ambassador said that China-Africa relations are developing steadily, and are fruitful. Mauritania is confident in China Africa Industrial Forum's development and. Mauritania believes China- Mauritania relationships will become better and better in the efforts of China-African countries.