Minister of Finance: Environmental Issues Among Government’s Top Priorities
Minister of Finance Dr. Jibril Ibrahim has affirmed that giving due attention to environmental issues and preparing them to meet the requirements of a decent standard of living for citizens ranks high among the government’s priorities. He stressed the importance of restructuring environmental work in a manner that ensures sound environmental management and the reconstruction of environmental systems damaged by the war.
During his meeting with Suleiman Al-Bouni Suleiman, Secretary-General of the Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resources, at the Ministries Complex in Port Sudan on Sunday, the minister underscored the importance of Sudan benefiting from international funding earmarked for environmental sectors and channeling it to address the negative environmental impacts resulting from the war. He also highlighted the need for the Council to tap into the expertise of Sudanese professionals abroad, strengthen coordination with relevant state institutions, and enhance relations with international institutions and UN organizations to improve performance.
The minister proposed organizing a specialized environmental conference to develop a comprehensive strategy for environmental action in Sudan, as well as holding an awareness workshop for senior state leadership to highlight the importance of environmental issues.
For his part, the Secretary-General presented a detailed briefing on the Council’s work plan for the new year, revealing efforts to establish an institutional system to develop environmental work and to set out a clear roadmap for environmental action in the country.
Positive Developments Toward Lifting the Ban on Export Companies
The Preparatory Committee of the National Chamber of Exporters has called on exporters to provide details of companies that have been subjected to banking bans due to delays in repatriating export proceeds, citing the exceptional circumstances the country has experienced.
The Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, Mohammed Hassan Kaboushiya, disclosed that contacts have already begun with the Central Bank of Sudan regarding the matter, noting that a final meeting will be held to address this issue. He emphasized the need to expedite the submission of details of the banned companies to the official email of the National Chamber of Exporters by the end of the current week.
Approval of a Roadmap for the Reconstruction of the Agricultural Sector
The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation held a high-level meeting chaired by the Federal Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Prof. Issmat Qirshi, via virtual platform, with the participation of Sudanese agricultural experts, the Director of Follow-up at the Ministry Dr. Jraher Osman, and the Minister’s Office Director Dr. Mohammed Hassan. The meeting was dedicated to discussing the final report of the Agricultural Sector Reconstruction Committee’s document, within the framework of national efforts aimed at comprehensive recovery and rebuilding what was destroyed by the war.
The meeting reviewed the extent of damage to agricultural infrastructure and the impact of displacement and migration of scientific and technical expertise. Participants emphasized the necessity of adopting a comprehensive reconstruction approach as a strategic option to restore the vitality of the agricultural sector and strengthen its role in supporting the national economy.
The committee developed a comprehensive roadmap aimed at fully modernizing the agricultural sector through the introduction of modern technologies in irrigation and production systems, activating the role of advanced agricultural engineering to enhance productivity, and strengthening strategic partnerships with international organizations and the private sector.
Minister Issmat Qirshi affirmed that the reconstruction of the agricultural sector represents a top national priority and a matter of national security, stressing that agriculture is the cornerstone for achieving economic and social stability and ensuring food security for the country.
The meeting endorsed the state’s full commitment to supporting the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation in implementing the outcomes of the reconstruction document and translating them into practical programs and tangible projects that contribute to Sudan’s revival and the achievement of sustainable development.
