Nouakchott - Mauritania expects to begin receiving trade benefits from the United States in January, an official at the foreign ministry said Thursday. The ministry confirmed it had received its upgrade to the group of sub-Saharan nations receiving preferential treatment under Washington's African Growth and Opportunity Act, as a reward for its political progress.
At the same time, US President Barack Obama penalized three African nations on Wednesday for what he deemed a reversal of democratic and free-market advances.
Guinea, Madagascar and Niger were removed from the benefits granted under the legislation, enacted in 2000 in a bid by the US to help economic development.
While Mauritania's current leaders are former military officers who took over in a coup last year, elections this year saw them return to power in polls deemed largely fair by observers.
Guinea and Madagascar, however, have experienced military takeovers and leaders installed by the top soldiers, and Niger's president dissolved parliament, refusing to step down at the end of his term.
The new designations for the four countries would last for a year.
At the same time, US President Barack Obama penalized three African nations on Wednesday for what he deemed a reversal of democratic and free-market advances.
Guinea, Madagascar and Niger were removed from the benefits granted under the legislation, enacted in 2000 in a bid by the US to help economic development.
While Mauritania's current leaders are former military officers who took over in a coup last year, elections this year saw them return to power in polls deemed largely fair by observers.
Guinea and Madagascar, however, have experienced military takeovers and leaders installed by the top soldiers, and Niger's president dissolved parliament, refusing to step down at the end of his term.
The new designations for the four countries would last for a year.
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