Qatari Investments in Sudan Reach $1.7 Billion

Doha, January 16 (QNA) - Qatari investments in Sudan may jump to $2 billion in 2017 after they have reached about $1.7 billion covering 195 projects, Sudan's Minister of Investment Dr. Mudathir Abdul Ghani said. In an interview with Qatari daily (Al-Watan), the Sudanese minister announced the launch of Qatar's "Hassad" project, which represents one of the biggest agricultural projects in Sudan. He added that the Qatari investments cover real estate development and banking sector, in addition to investment projects in the agricultural sector in a number of Sudanese states, including Khartoum, the Northern State, the River Nile, and Sennar, noting that all these investments are in productive sectors. Currently, Sudan and Qatar plan for investment projects in 2017, most notably the construction of a number hotels, and slaughterhouses in the city of Omdurman, the Minister said. He highlighted Qatar's contribution to the "Sudan - A Food Basket of the Arab World" initiative, through the Qatari banking sector which has notable contributions in the field of investments. He underlined that the Qatari investments in these areas represent a real shift in the Sudan, and are consistent with the objectives of providing food to all the Arab countries, especially as the projects involved are large and contribute clearly to the issue of food security. The Minister added that there are Qatari companies working on investment in the air transport sector, which enjoys a considerable interest and is classified on the list of priorities. He noted that the investment plan of the Ministry focuses on attracting investments in the industrial, agricultural and livestock sectors, stressing the ministry's keenness to facilitate procedures for investors, which include licensing, financial and banking transactions with various entities. He added that there is also an expansion in hotel services and real estate investments, led by the Qatari investment, which come in the wake of developing the tourism sectors with the increasing flow of tourists to the country. (QNA)