UAE Energy Minister Visits Sudan to Build Investment Partnership

Sudanese demonstrators make victory signs and wave Sudanese flags as they protest in front of the Defence Ministry in Khartoum, Sudan April 17, 2019. REUTERS/Umit Bektas
Sudanese demonstrators make victory signs and wave Sudanese flags as they protest in front of the Defence Ministry in Khartoum, Sudan April 17, 2019. REUTERS/Umit Bektas
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UAE Energy Minister Visits Sudan to Build Investment Partnership

Sudanese demonstrators make victory signs and wave Sudanese flags as they protest in front of the Defence Ministry in Khartoum, Sudan April 17, 2019. REUTERS/Umit Bektas
Sudanese demonstrators make victory signs and wave Sudanese flags as they protest in front of the Defence Ministry in Khartoum, Sudan April 17, 2019. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Sudanese Finance Minister Ibrahim Elbadawi said that UAE investments in the African country have touched on seven billion dollars.

Elbadawi, after receiving UAE Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazroui, who is paying the African country a two-day visit, stressed that the Sudanese government is working to build a solid economic partnership with the UAE.

The UAE, for its part, renewed its keenness to work with the transitional government of Sudan in order to open up the country’s market and make it more attractive to investors.

In a joint press conference with Elbadawi, Mazroui expressed hope for working with the Sudanese government in this regard.

This, according to the minister would be based on the resources and expertise owned by Sudan, in addition to its people who are able to bring change in the country.

During his visit, Mazroui will discuss economic cooperation between the two countries and UAE investments in Sudan as part of his country's efforts to support Sudan during the transition period.
Foreign investments had suffered badly under Sudan’s former regime.

Among the many problems investors faced were weak infrastructure, poor management, political, economic and security turmoil, exchange rate instability and high inflation, as well as banking problems.

“Sudan must change the previous concepts; especially since it has many elements to create a better reality,” Mazroui said.

“Development in Sudan will create good job opportunities for young people,” he added.

Elbadawi said that the Sudanese government is ready to cooperate with the UAE in a transparent manner to build a solid foundation for their relationship.

He pointed out that the UAE investments in Sudan amounted to $7 billion, despite the deteriorating economic conditions and poor business environment.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE are among the biggest supporters of Sudan's transitional government, especially after the ouster of former President Omar al-Bashir.



Gulf Countries Committed to Completing GCC Railway Project for Development and Prosperity

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi.
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi.
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Gulf Countries Committed to Completing GCC Railway Project for Development and Prosperity

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi.
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi.

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi said on Wednesday that the GCC member states, through their technical committees, are focused on completing the GCC Railway Project as planned to achieve further development and prosperity for their peoples.

Albudaiwi made these remarks during a meeting to review progress on the GCC Railway Project, held at the General Secretariat’s headquarters in Riyadh, with the participation of senior officials from the General Secretariat and the Director-General of the GCC Railways Authority and his team.

Albudaiwi received a presentation from the authority’s Director highlighting the railway project, its current progress, and coordination among the member states.

In his comments, Albudaiwi praised the advanced levels achieved and the efforts made by the concerned teams in the GCC member states and the GCC Railways Authority to complete the project according to its planned phases.

Moreover, he urged the authority to redouble and boost its efforts to realize the project in order to meet the aspirations of the peoples of the GCC countries and achieve a key element of the desired Gulf integration.