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.



Oil Up, Heads for 4th Weekly gain as US Sanctions Hit Supply

FILE PHOTO: An oil pump jack is seen at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An oil pump jack is seen at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo
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Oil Up, Heads for 4th Weekly gain as US Sanctions Hit Supply

FILE PHOTO: An oil pump jack is seen at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An oil pump jack is seen at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo

Oil prices rose on Friday and headed towards a fourth consecutive weekly gain as the latest US sanctions on Russian energy trade hit supply and pushed up spot trade prices and shipping rates.
Brent crude futures rose 44 cents, or 0.5%, to $81.73 per barrel by 0443 GMT, US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up 62 cents, or 0.8%, to $79.3 a barrel.
Brent and WTI have gained 2.5% and 3.6% so far this week.
"Supply concerns from US sanctions on Russian oil producers and tankers, combined with expectations of a demand recovery driven by potential US interest rate cuts, are bolstering the crude market," said Toshitaka Tazawa, an analyst at Fujitomi Securities.
"The anticipated increase in kerosene demand due to cold weather in the US is another supportive factor," he added.
The Biden administration last Friday announced widening sanctions targeting Russian oil producers and tankers, followed by more measures against Russia's military-industrial base and sanctions-evasion efforts.
Moscow's top customers China and India are now scouring the globe for replacement barrels, driving a surge in shipping rates.
Investors are also anxiously waiting to see any possible more supply disruptions as Donald Trump takes office next Monday.
"Mounting supply risks continue to provide broad support to oil prices," ING analysts wrote in a research note, adding the incoming Donald Trump administration is expected to take a tough stance on Iran and Venezuela, the two main suppliers of crude oil.
Better demand expectations also lent some support to the oil market with renewed hopes of interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve after data showed easing inflation in the world's biggest economy.
Inflation is likely to continue to ease and possibly allow the US central bank to cut interest rates sooner and faster than expected, Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said on Thursday.
Meanwhile, China's economic data on Friday showed higher-than-expected economic growth for the fourth quarter and for the full year 2024, as a flurry of stimulus measures came into effect.
However, China's oil refinery throughput in 2024 fell for the first time in more than two decades barring the pandemic-hit year of 2022, government data showed on Friday, as plants pruned output in response to stagnant fuel demand and depressed margins.
Also weighing on the market was that Yemen's maritime security officials said the Houthi militia is expected to announce a halt in its attacks on ships in the Red Sea, after a ceasefire deal in the war in Gaza between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas.
The attacks have disrupted global shipping, forcing firms to make longer and more expensive journeys around southern Africa for more than a year.