The Sudanese Ministry of Trade and Industry had developed an integrated plan to address the deficit in the trade balance and create an equilibrium between exports and imports.
Trade Minister Madani Abbas Madani said that Sudanese exports lack the necessary quality because some groups are more concerned with their personal interests regardless of its impact on the country's economy.
In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Madani indicated that quality control will be tightened in the upcoming export season, noting that measures will become more strict to ensure value is managed and maintained.
He explained that poor quality reduces the value of Sudanese exports, confirming that a specialized committee is investigating the issue of livestock exports which were reshipped back to the country during the last period.
Sudanese products are good, but they face packaging and presentation problems, according to the Minister.
Madani revealed an agreement with South Sudan, which was delayed by the emergence of the coronavirus and the formation of the new South Sudan government.
The agreement is expected to be signed at the end of October or early November, according to Madani, who said that South Sudan is the most important market for Sudanese products.
He also indicated that Sudan is in negotiations with Chad, Ethiopia, and the surrounding countries on exporting local products.
The minister explained that Sudanese product specifications are being tampered with, noting that a large part of the export contracts were fake and not issued by the Ministry.
Madani also indicated that some low-quality products are being imported into the country, however there are local alternatives. He said there are local options for 26 percent of the imported foodstuffs.
Last season, Sudan's wheat production covered the country's needs for seven months, said the Minister, adding that if the production was managed in a way that stimulates farmers and facilitates procedures, it would solve the bread problem.
The minister expects wheat production to double this season, adding that the ministry will import raw sugar for factories to reach self-sufficiency.
Madani explained that lack of funds led to the bread and fuel crises in the country, adding that 60 percent of government revenues come from taxes and customs. However, this year, due to weak economic activity incurred by the spread of coronavirus, the state was unable to collect taxes.
The Minister said that the government is working to provide commodities, fuel and wheat, and that the ministry is considering options to overcome the crisis.
He explained that if the ministry was able to achieve its goals, the country would have been able to end monopoly and economic mafias through legal reform.
Observers criticize Madani for making promises that he did not keep. He said he only pledged to provide bread, however, the commitment made did not take into consideration the complexity of the issue.
He indicated that the ministry is working on a legal reform that allows the state to intervene in setting the prices, and a law to reform the legal path.
The Minister explained that the ministry is making great efforts, and began an “industrial survey” which is expected to be completed before the end of the year, noting that the last industrial survey was done in 2003.
The ministry established two small industrial complexes, one for fish in Nile governorate and another for dairy products in North Kordofan.
Madani vowed to establish a center for industrial consultations and an institute for industrial policies, noting that the ministry began to adopt policies based on small and medium industries.
Sudanese expatriates are protesting that the country stopped car imports. Madani explained that the decision was taken according to a technical vision after imports exceeded 200,000 cars in 15 months.
He asserted that expatriates have the right to import their cars, adding that the only control set was that the expatriate should not sell his car before a year after importing it.
Madani asserted that he will only resign when he is unable to perform his duties, indicating that he believes the ministry is on the right path, however, it can't yield results fast which puts authorities under pressure.
