President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani has called on members of Mauritanian communities abroad to play a bigger role in national development by directing investment to the local economy, helping create jobs and transferring expertise and technology to the country.
The president was speaking at the opening of the first forum of Mauritanian communities abroad, being held in Nouakchott from October 29 to 31, where he said expatriates are an important driver of development thanks to their scientific and professional qualifications and varied experience.
He stressed the state's commitment to protecting the rights of citizens abroad and improving services for them, citing measures including amending the nationality law to allow dual nationality, strengthening the diaspora's political representation, modernising and digitising consular services, and launching the digital identity app "My Identity".
He also urged Mauritanian business people and professionals abroad to put their skills to work in developing national institutions, support scientific research and innovation, help ease money transfers and encourage investment initiatives.
The president stressed the need for dialogue and consultation with diaspora representatives to find practical solutions to the challenges they face and strengthen their ties with the country, saying the forum is an opportunity to turn expatriates' demands into workable programmes and proposals.
Representatives of Mauritanian communities from four continents are taking part in the forum through plenary sessions and workshops on investment, consular services, education, identity, rights and political participation, and ways to draw on Mauritanian talent abroad.
