Sudan Inflation Soars as Economic Crisis Bites

Motorists queue to fuel from the Matthew Petroleum station in Khartoum, Sudan January 6, 2019. (Reuters)
Motorists queue to fuel from the Matthew Petroleum station in Khartoum, Sudan January 6, 2019. (Reuters)
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Sudan Inflation Soars as Economic Crisis Bites

Motorists queue to fuel from the Matthew Petroleum station in Khartoum, Sudan January 6, 2019. (Reuters)
Motorists queue to fuel from the Matthew Petroleum station in Khartoum, Sudan January 6, 2019. (Reuters)

Sudan's annual inflation rate has topped 80 percent, the government said Tuesday, as the country grapples with an acute economic crisis.

"The annual inflation rate reached 81.64 percent in March, compared to 71.36 in February," the Central Bureau of Statistics said in a statement, attributing the rise to price hikes including on food.

Sudanese authorities have hiked bread prices, with one Sudanese pound now buying only a 50-gram loaf of bread, compared to 70 grams before.

Many Sudanese still queue for hours to buy staple foods or gas up their car, reported Reuters.

The country remains in deep economic crisis one year after mass protests led to the military ouster of strongman Omar al-Bashir, ending his 30-year-rule.

The anti-Bashir protests, which erupted late 2018, were triggered by a government decision to triple bread prices before morphing into broader calls for political change.

Sudan's economic woes have been further compounded by the coronavirus outbreak which pushed authorities to impose a lockdown on Khartoum state, including the capital.

Under Bashir, Sudan's economy was dealt severe blows ranging from decades-long US sanctions to the 2011 secession of oil-rich South Sudan.

Despite Washington lifting some sanctions in 2017, Khartoum remains on a US blacklist as a state sponsor of terrorism, stifling investment.

A transitional administration which took power in August has been pushing to boost Sudan's international standing and to boost ties with the US.



Honda and Nissan Reportedly Consider Mutual Production of Vehicles

FILE PHOTO: A Honda logo is seen during the New York International Auto Show, in Manhattan, New York City, US, April 5, 2023. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado/File Photo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A Honda logo is seen during the New York International Auto Show, in Manhattan, New York City, US, April 5, 2023. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado/File Photo/File Photo
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Honda and Nissan Reportedly Consider Mutual Production of Vehicles

FILE PHOTO: A Honda logo is seen during the New York International Auto Show, in Manhattan, New York City, US, April 5, 2023. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado/File Photo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A Honda logo is seen during the New York International Auto Show, in Manhattan, New York City, US, April 5, 2023. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado/File Photo/File Photo

Honda and Nissan are considering producing vehicles in one another's factories as part of their plan to deepen ties and potentially merge, Japan's Kyodo news agency said on Saturday.
Honda will consider supplying hybrid vehicles to Nissan as part of the plan, the report said, without citing the source of the information.
A merger of Honda, Japan's second-largest car company, and Nissan, its third-largest, would create the world's third-largest auto group by vehicle sales, behind Toyota and Volkswagen, making 7.4 million vehicles a year, Reuters said.
The two automakers forged a strategic partnership in March to cooperate in electric vehicle development, but Nissan has faced financial and strategic troubles in recent months.
As announced, Honda, "Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors are in the process of bringing together our strengths and exploring potential forms of cooperation, but nothing has been decided yet,” a Honda spokesperson said, when asked about the report.
Nissan declined to comment, saying the details of the report were not based on a company announcement. Nissan is the top shareholder in Mitsubishi Motors.
Kyodo said Honda could use Nissan's car factory in Britain, as it now only has factories for engines and motorcycles in Europe.
The move comes amid concerns over how president-elect Donald Trump's policies may shake up manufacturing with his promises of protectionist trade policies, the report said.