On 26 June 2013, Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a bilateral discussion with His Excellency Mr. Hamadi Ould Baba Ould Hamadi, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, during the latter’s formal visit to Bangkok.

Both Ministers noted the warm and cordial bilateral relations between Thailand and Mauritania, and discussed ways to strengthen technical cooperation in such areas as agriculture, tourism, public health, fisheries and food security. Both sides also hoped that their countries could sign an agreement on bilateral economic cooperation at the earliest opportunity.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs conveyed his invitation to the President of Mauritania to attend the High Level Thai – African Dialogue early next year, which the Mauritanian side accepted.

This visit by Mauritania’s Foreign Minister was the first high-level official visit since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1976.

Annual bilateral trade between Thailand and Mauritania reached 36.15 million US dollars in 2012, with Thailand having a trade surplus of 33.31 million US dollars from exports of rice, polymers, air conditioners and parts, and canned and processed fruits. Thailand imported from Mauritania 2.84 million US dollars’ worth of such goods as fresh, frozen, and processed seafood, steel and ore. Mauritania has good economic potential in iron ore mining, deep sea fishing and oil, which it started producing in 2007.