Int'l Roadmap to Rehabilitate Sudanese Economy

Customers look on as a vendor displays the fresh produce in Khartoum, Sudan December 2, 2016. REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah
Customers look on as a vendor displays the fresh produce in Khartoum, Sudan December 2, 2016. REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah
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Int'l Roadmap to Rehabilitate Sudanese Economy

Customers look on as a vendor displays the fresh produce in Khartoum, Sudan December 2, 2016. REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah
Customers look on as a vendor displays the fresh produce in Khartoum, Sudan December 2, 2016. REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah

Sudan has agreed a roadmap to "rehabilitate" the country in a trilateral agreement with the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and African Development Bank.

The IMF revealed in a report in Dec. that “Economic conditions in Sudan remain challenging on the back of persistent fiscal deficits, high inflation, and low access to financing.”

“Bold and comprehensive reforms are needed to stabilize the economy and strengthen growth,” it added, noting that: “The expansion of social safety nets to support the reforms and improvements in the business environment and governance are crucial to unlocking growth.”

The report continued: “In 2018, economic activity contracted by an estimated 2.3 percent and GDP is projected to contract by 2.5 percent in 2019. Inflation increased to 60 percent in November 2019.

Representative of the World Bank stated that the aim of the visit was to achieve economic development in Sudan to integrate into the global markets, the International Monetary Fund, and the African Development Bank on a roadmap for the rehabilitation of the country.

Minister of Industry and Trade Madani Abbas Madani stressed the importance of the steps taken by the state in boosting confidence in the markets, achieving development, increasing production, protecting the investor, and developing the industrial and marketing sector through a clear strategic plan.



Spain Gives Green Light for Saudi STC to Raise Stake in Telefonica to 9.97%

STC said it aimed to build up an interest of 9.9% in the Spanish telecoms company worth around 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion) and become a major shareholder - File Photo
STC said it aimed to build up an interest of 9.9% in the Spanish telecoms company worth around 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion) and become a major shareholder - File Photo
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Spain Gives Green Light for Saudi STC to Raise Stake in Telefonica to 9.97%

STC said it aimed to build up an interest of 9.9% in the Spanish telecoms company worth around 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion) and become a major shareholder - File Photo
STC said it aimed to build up an interest of 9.9% in the Spanish telecoms company worth around 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion) and become a major shareholder - File Photo

The Spanish government has given the green light to Saudi Arabia's largest telecoms operator, STC Group, to raise its stake in Telefonica beyond 5% and reach 9.97%, Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said on Thursday.

Cuerpo confirmed an earlier report by El Pais newspaper during a news conference following the cabinet's weekly meeting in which the stake increase was approved, Reuters reported.

"Measures and conditions have been set and accepted voluntarily by the Saudi company to ensure that (the operation) takes place," Cuerpo told reporters.

He said the government's decision followed an "exhaustive analysis based not only on compliance with current legislation but also to guarantee the national interest in defense and ensure the strategic element in telecommunications".

Last year, STC said it aimed to build up an interest of 9.9% in the Spanish telecoms company worth around 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion) and become a major shareholder.

The Saudi group said at the time it owned a 4.9% stake in Telefonica and financial instruments giving it another 5% in what it called economic exposure to the company.

The Spanish government had to authorize the deal as Telefonica is considered a defence service provider and therefore a strategic company.

The Saudi company has said it does not intend to gain control of or a majority stake in Telefonica.