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Country Commercial Guides for FY 2000: Mauritania Report prepared by U.S. Embassy Nouakchott, released July 1999   Note*

IX. BUSINESS TRAVEL

Mauritanian businessmen are becoming more familiar with international standards. However, US visitors may encounter differences in business practices and cultural standards. The following points may improve the chances of a successful business trip to Mauritania.

Business Customs

Mauritania is a Muslim country. Consumption of alcohol and pork is prohibited for Mauritanians. The most important characteristic of Mauritanian business practices is courtesy. A handshake is customary upon initiating and closing a business meeting. However it is important to remember that some more conservative Muslim men will not shake a woman's hand; it is therefore advisable that a woman wait until the man offers his hand first. Business discussions in hotel conference rooms are appreciated. Mauritanians are in general hospitable; they often offer a dinner of mechoui (grilled lamb) to their business partners/visitors.

Travel Advisory and Visas

Mauritania is a safe environment. The yellow fever vaccination must be noted on WHO card for entry; meflouquine (larium) is the most frequently recommended drug and should be taken for at least one week prior to arrival and continued for four weeks after departure. A visa is required for US citizens entering in Mauritania.

Holidays

The year 2000 official holidays and other days on which Government offices and private establishments are closed are:

- January 1 (New Year's Day)
- January 10* (Id El Fitr)
- March 19 (Id El Adha)
- May 1 (Labor Day)
- April 5* (Muslim New year)
- May 25 (Africa Day)
- June 15* (Id El Maouloud)
- November 28 (Independence Day)

Holidays with an asterisk (*) are based on the lunar calendar and change every year.

Mauritanian time is Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Work Week

Businesses operate from Saturday to Thursday, except for banks, which operate from Sunday to Thursday. Business hours in Mauritania are generally 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM (banking hours for customers 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM).

Language

Arabic is the official language, but French is the business language. Product literature in French is required. The national languages -- Pulaar, Soninké, and Wolof --are widely spoken in the center and south of the country.

Housing

Apartments and houses are available in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou; rents are linked to house size and location and are inexpensive by American standards.

Hotels There are few international-standard hotels in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. The best are:

IN Nouakchott

- Hotel Halima
Telephone: [222] 2 5-79-20 or 2 5-79-21; Fax: [222] 25-79-22

- Monotel
Telephone: [222] 25-35-26; Fax: [222] 25-18-31

- Houda Hotel
Telephone: [222] 25-91-71or 25-91-80; Fax: [222] 25-20-11

- Hotel Chinguitty
Telephone: [222] 25-35-37

- Hotel Oasis
Telephone: [222] 25-20-11

- Hotel Park
Telephone: [222] 25-14-44

- Hotel Sabah
Telephone: [222] 25-15-64 or 25-15-52

In Nouadhibou

- Hotel Oasian
Telephone: [222] 74-9042; Fax: [222] 74-90-43

- Hotel Sabah
Telephone: [222] 74-5317; Fax: [222] 74-54-99

Health

There are five overpopulated government hospitals and about twenty private clinics in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. Some clinics provide satisfactory health services. The Telephone numbers of the hospitals and private clinics are available in the country telephone directory. Medicines are sold over-the-counter in small drugstores in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou.

Temporary entry of goods

Personal effects in a visitor's luggage or hand-carried including professional equipment may be temporarily imported into Mauritania free of duty and tax.

éU.S. business travelers are encouraged to obtain a copy of the 'key officers of Foreign Service Posts: Guide for business representatives' available for sale by the superintendent of documents, U.S. Government printing office, Washington, D.C. 20402; Tel. (202) 512-1800; Fax (202) 512-2250. Business travelers to Mauritania seeking appointments with U.S. Embassy Nouakchott Officials should contact the Commercial Section in advance. The Commercial Section can be reached by telephone at (222) 25-26-60 or 25-26-63, Fax at (222) 25-15-92, or email at sowei@nouakchotb.us-state.gov.é