Jeddah, KSA, 11.02.2013 – According to a financing agreement signed on Saturday at IDB headquarters between Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali, Chairman, IDB Group, and H.E Dr. Sidi Ould Bebaha Ould Tah, Minister of Economic Affairs and Development and IDB Governor for Mauritania, the IDB will contribute US$ 16 million for the expansion of health care services in Mauritania’s rural areas. The project envisages construction of sixty health units and two fully equipped regional health centers as well as
training around 200 male and female medical practitioners. Upon completion, access to health care services in the areas concerned is expected to increase from the current 46% to 60%.
While acknowledging the contribution of the IDB Group to social and economic development in his country, the Minister stated that the completion of the project in nine regions in Mauritania will be an important step in materializing the Millennium Development Goals as it would lower child, maternal and newborn mortality rates.
On the occasion, the IDB Group Chairman underlined the continuous emphasis the Bank attaches to cooperation with Mauritania and lauded the strong relations between the two sides. He added that the agreement falls within the strategic objectives of IDB’s Vision 2020 as well as the strategic partnership document established between Mauritania and IDB in October 2010 stipulating the development priorities in the country for the year 2011 – 2015.
The IDB Group has to date approved more than US$ 757 million for development projects in various development sectors in Mauritania, including several foreign trade operations in the country.