Trade monitoring
Report by the WTO Secretariat
Since its second Trade Policy Review (TPR) in 2011, Mauritania has experienced five years of steady economic growth at 5-6% per year, driven by the high world prices for its main export products (chiefly iron ore) and massive public investment in the new airport, the extension of the port of Nouakchott, and road infrastructure. Average per capita income continued its steep rise, reaching close to US$1,500 in 2014. However, unequal distribution of the country’s wealth has meant that there has been no significant impact on the overall level of poverty among its population of 4.3 million. According to the United Nations, Mauritania remains a least developed country with low human development indices.
Introduction
The Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) was first established on a trial basis by the GATT contracting parties in April 1989. The Mechanism became a permanent feature of the World Trade Organization under the Marrakesh Agreement which established the WTO in January 1995.
Understanding the WTO
There are a number of ways of looking at the World Trade Organization. It is an organization for trade opening. It is a forum for governments to negotiate trade agreements. It is a place for them to settle trade disputes. It operates the global system of trade rules. It helps developing countries build their trade capacity. Essentially, the WTO is a place where member governments try to sort out the trade problems they face with each other.