KHARTOUM — Saudi Arabia plans to invest in six crucial sectors across Sudan, ranging from energy to telecommunications and transportation, Investment Minister Mohammad Ibrahim said on Sunday.

Sudan has made "great strides in unifying investment procedures," based on a "slogan of transparency and integrity," state-run SUNA news agency quoted the minister as saying amid an investment forum linking the two countries.

The talks aim to shine light on investment opportunities the African nation has to offer, added the minister, saying such gatherings come "within the framework of cooperation" between Riyadh and Khartoum.

Ibrahim, in July, had said that Saudi Arabia and Sudan are set to sign investment project deals worth millions of dollars this year. The Sudan Tribune reported that the minister had made this statement during the Kingdom’s hosting of an investment forum.

He said that the deals would follow the Eid Al-Adha break without giving a specific date. These planned investments cover infrastructure, electricity and main roads, as well as projects to develop Port Sudan or establish other ports.

Recent economic reforms by the government include the removal of fuel subsidies and a sharp exchange rate devaluation under an IMF-monitored program required to enter the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC).

Recently, Sudan received approval from the International Monetary Fund for relief on more than $56 billion in debt and new IMF funding of $2.5 billion over three years.

The IMF has accepted the East African country into HIPC initiative based on the country’s commitment to macroeconomic reforms, meaning Khartoum can finally access debt forgiveness and new funds.

Sudanese minister meets

with Saudi delegation

In Khartoum, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Sudan Intisar Saghayroon met Sunday with a delegation of the Ministry of Education of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, currently visiting Khartoum.

The delegation is headed by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for International Cooperation Dr. Saleh Bin Ibrahim Al-Qasoumi.

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and cooperation in scientific, research and cultural affairs between the two countries.— Agencies