Saudi Arabia to Expand Investments in Sudan

A general view shows Sudanese people and traffic along a street in Khartoum, Sudan. Reuters file photo
A general view shows Sudanese people and traffic along a street in Khartoum, Sudan. Reuters file photo
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Saudi Arabia to Expand Investments in Sudan

A general view shows Sudanese people and traffic along a street in Khartoum, Sudan. Reuters file photo
A general view shows Sudanese people and traffic along a street in Khartoum, Sudan. Reuters file photo

The Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdurrahman bin Abdulmohsen has confirmed the Kingdom’s desire to cooperate and boost trade, economic and development relations with Sudan.

Sudan’s official economic sector, during the Saudi-Sudanese Investment Forum which kicked off in Khartoum on Sunday, proposed six main areas viable for Saudi investments. They included energy, electricity, mining, transport and communication, fishery, and railways sectors.

The Sudanese government has worked to remove all difficulties facing foreign investors with its investment ministry making great strides in unifying investment procedures through the establishment of a single window.

The Sudanese government was seeking to promote investment and encourage the private sector in a bid to establish an infrastructure that is conducive to attracting foreign investments.

Abdulmohsen expressed Saudi Arabia’s readiness to enhance economic and commercial ties and investment with Sudan in a manner that benefits both countries.

He referred to directives by the Saudi government to discuss investment opportunities in Sudan in the fields of energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and telecommunication.

Sudanese Agriculture Minister Eltahir Harbi reaffirmed that Saudi Arabia has given his country great support during the transition period it is currently undergoing. The Kingdom has also contributed to removing Sudan off the list of state sponsors of terrorism and lifting it from economic isolation.

Saudi Arabia has also helped Sudan get a loan of $3 billion.

Harbi stressed that Saudi investments in Sudan are thriving, especially in the areas of rain-fed agriculture, animal production and forestry.

He pointed out that the forum contributes to strengthening relations to help expand investment and development cooperation between the two countries.

According to Harbi, this has helped the governments of the two countries respond to the needs of the region and neighboring markets considering food shortages, climate change factors, and the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.



Abu Dhabi's XRG Targets Gas, LNG Capacity of 20-25 Million Tons a Year by 2035

Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, speaks at the United Nations climate change conference COP29 opening in Baku, Azerbaijan November 11, 2024. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo
Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, speaks at the United Nations climate change conference COP29 opening in Baku, Azerbaijan November 11, 2024. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo
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Abu Dhabi's XRG Targets Gas, LNG Capacity of 20-25 Million Tons a Year by 2035

Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, speaks at the United Nations climate change conference COP29 opening in Baku, Azerbaijan November 11, 2024. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo
Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, speaks at the United Nations climate change conference COP29 opening in Baku, Azerbaijan November 11, 2024. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo

XRG, the international investment arm of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), is aiming to have a gas and LNG business with a capacity of between 20 million and 25 million metric tons a year by 2035, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.

XRG was set up last year as an investment company focused on lower-carbon energy, gas and chemicals, with assets of more than $80 billion.

On Tuesday, its board, whose members include former BP CEO Bernard Looney and Blackstone's Jon Gray, approved the capacity target and a new five-year business plan.

Board members also supported the assessment of potential gas acquisitions and LNG opportunities in North America, Reuters reported.

ADNOC's current US investments already sit under XRG, and the oil giant's Chief Executive Sultan Al Jaber said in March that XRG would make a significant investment in US natural gas in coming months.

XRG has also changed the name of its low carbon energies platform to Energy Solutions to reflect the full scope of the company's strategy, including energy demand linked to artificial intelligence and the digital economy, a company spokesperson said on Tuesday.

The board "endorsed the company's ambition to create a top three global chemicals platform," XRG said.

ADNOC had agreed in October to buy German chemicals maker Covestro for 14.7 billion euros ($16.73 billion) including debt. Jaber later said it would sit under XRG.