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.



Egyptian Firms Sign Final Contracts with Chinese Consortium to Build Chemical Plant

A general view of the Nile River from the Egyptian capital, Cairo (Reuters).
A general view of the Nile River from the Egyptian capital, Cairo (Reuters).
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Egyptian Firms Sign Final Contracts with Chinese Consortium to Build Chemical Plant

A general view of the Nile River from the Egyptian capital, Cairo (Reuters).
A general view of the Nile River from the Egyptian capital, Cairo (Reuters).

Several Egyptian companies signed on Sunday final contracts with a Chinese consortium comprising China State Engineering Corp and East China Engineering Science and Technology Company to build a phosphoric acid plant in Egypt's New Valley area, Reuters reported.

The plant, which has an investment value of $658 million, will have the capacity to produce 250,000 tons of concentrated phosphoric acid in the first phase of the project, Egypt's petroleum ministry said in a statement.

Egyptian participants in the project include leading fertilizer producer, Abu Qir Fertilizers, state-owned Misr Phosphate and others.