Mauritanian Ouguiya - MRO

Overview

The Ouguiya, or Ougiya, is the official currency of Mauritania. It is the only circulating currency other than the Malagasy Ariary whose subdivision units are not supported on a power of ten, and makes every Ouguiya to contain five khoums.

Economy

  • The majority of the population in Mauritania depends entirely on agriculture and livestock as means of livelihood.
  • Almost 50% of its exports stem from its many iron ore deposits. Due to the increase in metal prices, gold and copper mining companies have been established in the center of the country.
  • Mauritania’s coastal waters are one of the richest fishing areas in the world, but over-exploitation by outsiders is a threat to this key source of revenue.
  • In 1986, Mauritania opened its first deepwater port, near Nouakchott.
  • In recent years, famine and economic mismanagement have lead into an increase in foreign debt.
  • In March 1999, the Mauritanian government signed an agreement for $54 million with the World Bank/International Monetary Fund, under the Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility (ESAF) program to drive GDP growth. Under the program, economic objectives were set for Mauritania; however privatization remains a major unresolved issue which may prevent them from meeting specified targets.

History

  • In 1973, the Ouguiya was first introduced to replace the CFA Franc, at a rate of 1 Ouguiya = 5 Francs.
  • The most recent issues of the Ouguiya were in 2003 and 2004. The coins were minted at Kremnica, Slovakia.
  • In 2009, the coinage was changed, with a plated composition 1 Ouguiya. Bimetallic 20 and 50 Ouguiya coins were issued by December 2010.

General Information

Symbols and Names

  • Symbols: UM
  • Nicknames: none

ISO 4217 Code

MRO

Currency Subunits

  • Khoums = 1/5 of a Ouguiya

Denominations

  • Bills: 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 ouguiya
  • Coins: 1 khoums. 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 ouguiya

Countries Using This Currency

  • Mauritania

Currencies Pegged To MRO :

None

MRO Is Pegged To:

None