At a Seminar in Cairo: $127 Billion in Total Losses for Sudan, Egypt Takes the Lead in Reconstruction

Sudan Events – Agencies

The Egyptian-Sudanese Integration Center organized a seminar on Saturday evening focused on Sudan’s reconstruction. The event was attended by Dr. Asim Ahmed Hassan, the Cultural Attaché at the Sudanese Embassy in Cairo, representing Ambassador Imad Al-Din Adawi, along with several Egyptian and Sudanese journalists and experts in bilateral relations.

Economic Networking

Dr. Asim Ahmed Hassan, representing the Sudanese ambassador, opened the seminar by emphasizing the long-standing ties between Egypt and Sudan. He expressed gratitude to Egypt for standing by Sudan during difficult times and highlighted the importance of developing relations to serve the people of both nations. “We have been guests in Egypt for two years and have received nothing but hospitality,” he said, stressing the need for economic networking between the two countries. He pointed out that Sudan has resources and raw materials that require new investments, adding that the country aims to develop a knowledge-based economy driven by education, training, innovation, and technology. Given the destruction caused by the war, he called for thinking outside the box to revitalize Sudan’s economy and push for a transformation through knowledge-based production.

Reality and Aspirations

Dr. Adel Abdel Aziz, Chairman of the Sudanese-Egyptian Integration Center, discussed Sudan’s reconstruction efforts and the first Egyptian-Sudanese Businessmen’s Conference, held in Cairo last November. He also referenced the second edition of the conference, scheduled to take place in Port Sudan in April, as announced by Egyptian Ambassador to Sudan, Hani Salah. Abdel Aziz emphasized that Egypt has the right and priority to participate in Sudan’s reconstruction, asserting that Egypt should benefit from its support to Sudan during tough times.

Presenting a paper on the role of Egyptian companies and institutions in Sudan’s reconstruction, Abdel Aziz revealed that the total economic losses from the war across various sectors in Sudan have reached $127 billion, with the potential for further increases.

Egypt’s Priority

Abdel Aziz argued that Egypt should take the lead in Sudan’s reconstruction for two main reasons. First, military operations are nearing their conclusion, with only clearing and security operations remaining. Second, international organizations and major companies require sufficient time to plan their contributions to reconstruction efforts.

He further highlighted the strong partnership between Egypt and Sudan, emphasizing Sudan’s agricultural land, livestock, solar energy, water resources, and strategic location. In contrast, Egypt possesses expertise, factories, financial mobilization capabilities, and access to markets. His presentation also reviewed ongoing cooperation projects, including electrical and railway connections between the two nations, as well as available financing opportunities for reconstruction and major economic projects in the post-war phase.

Sudan’s Readiness

During the seminar, participants questioned Sudan’s current readiness to welcome Egyptian investors and identified safe regions for investment. Concerns were raised that capital tends to avoid risky environments, making it difficult to launch projects while conflict persists. Many Egyptian businesspeople also inquired about the feasibility and timing of investments in Sudan amid the ongoing war.

In response, Qareeb Allah Abdel Aziz, Technical Advisor at the Sudanese Embassy in Cairo, affirmed that the time is right for Sudan’s reconstruction. He stated that the Sudanese Armed Forces now control most of the country, with only a few remaining rebel pockets in the capital, which are expected to be cleared soon. Abdel Aziz reiterated that Egypt deserves priority in Sudan’s reconstruction due to its unwavering support during the crisis. He emphasized that most Sudanese states are now suitable for reconstruction, particularly Khartoum, which suffered extensive damage at the hands of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). However, he noted that Darfur remains a conflict zone.

Reducing Bureaucratic Barriers

The Cultural Attaché at the Sudanese Embassy raised concerns about the flight of Sudanese capital to Rwanda, Oman, and Ethiopia, as well as the departure of 3,000 Sudanese students to Rwanda due to bureaucratic hurdles in Egypt. He urged Egyptian authorities to simplify procedures and ease restrictions to prevent further capital flight and encourage Sudanese investments in Egypt.

Additionally, he stressed the importance of facilitating banking transactions, acknowledging Egypt’s historic role in supporting the Sudanese people. He expressed gratitude to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the Egyptian government and people for their solidarity with Sudan. The main objective of the seminar, he stated, was to encourage Egyptian investment in Sudan’s reconstruction. He also called for easier entry and residence permits for Sudanese businesspeople in Egypt, arguing that investors need stable residency rather than short-term tourist visas.

Abdel Aziz declared that Sudan is now secure and dismissed RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemetti) as a spent force. “His military power is finished, but his media apparatus is still operational,” he noted, lamenting the lack of effective media coverage in both Egypt and Sudan regarding the war. To bridge this gap, he proposed organizing journalist and business delegations to Sudan for firsthand assessments.

He also advocated for a free trade zone between Egypt and Sudan, stressing that Sudan has substantial agricultural output this year, with Egypt being its primary export market.

Implementing Recommendations

Dr. Abdullah Mohamed Othman, Director General of the Sudanese-Egyptian Integration Center, announced plans to form a technical committee of advisory group leaders to oversee the implementation of recommendations from the first Egyptian-Sudanese Businessmen’s Forum. He urged swift action from the Sudanese Embassy in Cairo to finalize the committee’s formation and issuance of official decisions.

“We receive daily inquiries from Egyptian businesspeople asking, ‘What’s next after the economic forum?'” he concluded.

Source: Al-Muhaqiq News