Amid persistent tensions in the Middle East and rising energy prices on international markets, Mauritania has decided to strengthen its strategic reserves of energy and food products in order to ensure the security of national supply.
During the government’s weekly press conference on Wednesday evening, the Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Mohamed Ould Mohamed Malainine Ould Khaled, announced that five ships carrying petroleum products are expected to arrive by the end of the month to reinforce national stocks.
The minister also stressed that the state continues to adjust the subsidy mechanism for energy products in order to limit the impact of rising international prices on consumers. According to his estimates, if the price of a barrel of oil remains between 85 and 90 dollars, the government could mobilize nearly 25 billion ouguiyas (about 625 million dollars) this year to support liquid fuels.
For his part, government spokesperson El Houssein Ould Meddou indicated that temporary measures have been put in place to protect supplies intended for the local market.
He specified that these actions are part of a mechanism overseen by a ministerial committee responsible for ensuring a sufficient level of strategic reserves and preventing possible disruptions to international trade.
