Press Release

Mauritania is selected for the MCC

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the flagship development initiative of the Bush Administration, on December 12 decided to accept the Islamic Republic of Mauritania as a new “Threshold Country” for the Millennium Challenge Account.  Mauritania joins 41 existing partners of the MCC including 16 other “Threshold” countries.  The MCC decision highlights American recognition of the tremendous positive changes taking place in Mauritania and will allow for a substantial increase in the U.S.-Mauritanian bilateral development relationship.

The MCC decision was based on an analysis of Mauritania against 17 specific criteria in the general areas of “Ruling Justly,” “Investing in People,” and “Encouraging Economic Freedom.”  The MCC noted Mauritania’s significant improvement in the area of “Ruling Justly” following Mauritania’s democratic transition of 2007.  The MCC noted relatively low ratings in the areas of “Immunization Rates,” “Girls’ Primary Education Completions Rates,” and “Natural Resources Rates.” 
The MCC decision will allow the United States Government to begin discussions with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania on programs targeting identified weaknesses.  The decision does not include a budget figure for these programs, the level of U.S. assistance will be determined once program ideas have been developed.  Each country’s “Threshold Agreement” is unique.  Other past agreements include:

• A $13 million agreement with Burkina Faso to support girls’ education,
• A $10.5 million agreement with Uganda to support anti-corruption activities,
• A $23 million agreement with Zambia to support anti-corruption, business facilitation, and agricultural exports.

Countries that enter MCC “Threshold Agreements” are reviewed annually to determine whether they should remain as “Threshold Countries,” be dropped for the program, or advance to full MCC partners.  Full MCC partners negotiate a “Compact” with the MCC that allows for significantly higher levels of support.

Nouakchott, December 13, 2007