Saud Al-Berair: Sudan Needs Strong New Partnerships

Former president of the Sudanese Employers’ Federation and representative of Sudanese businessmen at the first Egyptian-Sudanese Businessmen Forum, Saud Al-Berair, affirmed that the forum represents a significant step toward enhancing economic ties between Egypt and Sudan.

Al-Berair emphasized the need to activate the Four Freedoms Agreement between the two countries and underscored the importance of implementing tax and customs exemptions.

Speaking at the forum’s inauguration on Saturday, he said, “This event provides a valuable opportunity to exchange expertise and build strategic partnerships that will enhance mutual cooperation between the two nations, which share a long history of brotherly and economic relations.” He continued, “We are at a pivotal moment that requires collective efforts to build a prosperous future.”

Al-Berair added, “In Sudan, we believe that cooperation with strategic partners like the Arab Republic of Egypt can be a real driver for achieving sustainable growth and national economic development.”

He highlighted Sudan’s rich natural resources, including fertile lands, minerals, diverse energy sources, and a strategic geographic location, making it an ideal destination for Egyptian and international investments. Sudan also boasts the largest agricultural sector in the region, alongside growing sectors in oil, gas, mining, and digital economy.

Al-Berair stressed Sudan’s need for strong new partnerships that establish frameworks to support and expand cooperation between businessmen from both nations. He affirmed that building a strong economy requires integration across various sectors, including industry, agriculture, and services, which provide fertile ground for investment and collaboration.

He stated, “In Sudan, we welcome all opportunities provided by such forums to discuss investment opportunities, create a conducive business environment, exchange knowledge, facilitate procedures, and offer support to the private sector to play a pivotal role in economic development. We are confident that strengthening ties between Egyptian and Sudanese businessmen will lead to joint projects serving the long-term interests of our peoples.”

He urged participants to seize this opportunity to identify cooperation areas and open new horizons for joint investments across different sectors. He added, “Our cooperation is not limited to enhancing economic interests but also extends to building social and cultural bonds, contributing to greater mutual understanding between the two peoples.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Engineer Alaa Naji, Chairman of the Sudanese-Egyptian Development and Investment Company, stressed the need to strengthen economic relations between Sudan and Egypt and to expand cooperation for the benefit of both nations in various fields.

Al-Berair also called for the establishment of a dedicated financing portfolio between Egypt and Sudan for partnership purposes among businessmen from both countries. He advocated for mechanisms to ensure financing from banking institutions, the immediate creation of free trade zones, removing barriers to partnerships, and enhancing banking transfer systems to accommodate financial flows for reconstruction purposes.

Additionally, he urged the Egyptian government to organize a donors’ conference for Sudan’s reconstruction.