Our Sudan! Appreciation Of Sudan's New Stands And Approaches
15 January 2017
By Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi
WHEN I saw the large Sudanese delegation standing in line to offer condolences
on the death of Prince Muhammad Al-Faisal, I recalled many memories. In 2002,
I visited Khartoum as a journalist with the prince and his son, Eng. Amr, to
attend the board meetings of Faisal Islamic Bank. I was struck by the generous
hospitality they gave us and the popularity of King Faisal and his brothers
and sons.
During a national festival, the prince, who led the Arab investments in Sudan,
and whose bank financed numerous development projects, was called to the
theater to give a speech. His appearance alone brought a strong response from
the masses. And when he announced at the end of his speech: I am an Arab,
Saudi Arabia is my homeland, and Sudan is my heartland, the audience exploded
with applause and chants. His heartfelt sentiments and words echoed by people
long after that day.
I told him at the time: I saw in you your father, King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz,
and I am sure they show him the same and more of love and appreciation during
his visits to Sudan in 1966-1967, and to his brother, King Khaled, when he
visited them in 1976. On occasions like these, we celebrate our unity,
devotion and brotherhood. The bridge between the two sides of the Red Sea is
always strengthened by these memorable visits.
I remembered our bond when the Sudanese army took part with the Gulf armies in
the Arab Alliance liberating Yemen, and again with the Islamic Military
Alliance to Fight Terrorism (IMAFT). I also remembered those ties when
Khartoum severed relations with Iran after the attacks on our diplomatic
missions, and as they ended their military and security agreements with the
Farsi nation, and closed the so-called ''Khomeini Cultural Centers,''
expelling preachers of hate and sectarian strife. I also remembered Qatar's
support of Sudanese peace and reconstruction efforts which culminated in the
Doha Document for Peace in Darfur, 2015, and recalled the recent success of
King Salman's efforts to partially lift US economic sanctions on Sudan —
applied since 1998.
Our appreciation of Sudan's new stands and approaches manifested itself in our
political and economic support as well as military, security and educational
cooperation. Add to that the various private and public Gulf investments in
the ''Land of the Two Niles.'' Not to mention that we are hosting millions of
Sudanese, who work, live, study and invest in the GCC countries. This comes as
a continuation of the historical connection between the two shores of the Red
Sea.
I would point out here the recommendations of the Saudi-Sudanese Investment
Forum, held in Riyadh, 2014. They called for the Sudanese government to
provide agricultural land and water sources, and for the Saudis to provide
capital for building infrastructure for agricultural projects and livestock
production.
It is worth mentioning that Sudan has 200 million acres of arable lands with
estimated fisheries of 100 thousand tons of internal traps and 10 thousand
tons of marine. In addition, Sudan has more than 100 million heads of cattle
and 45 million of poultry.
Most importantly, Sudan has diverse water resources from permanent and
seasonal rivers, in addition to groundwater and heavy rain. This is a natural
treasure most Arab countries lack.
During the Riyadh Forum, Sudan promoted 356 investment projects at an
estimated cost of $30 billion, including 117 projects in the agricultural
sector, an area of eight million acres, provided with full public utilities
and services; 76 projects in the industrial sector; 147 projects in the
economic sector; and 16 projects in oil and minerals sectors.
More recently, a Sudanese government delegation led by Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid,
assistant of the president, visited Doha, Qatar, to demonstrate to Qatari
businessmen the improving investment climate in Sudan. In Qatar Chamber, Dr.
Ahmed Mohammed Sadiq, the Sudanese minister of minerals, pointed out that his
country is rich in natural resources and raw minerals such as gold, zinc and
copper. There are 351 mining companies in 12 stats, including 52 foreign
companies. Qatari companies alone are investing in 60 projects, in various
sectors, including industrial, agricultural, service, real estate and mining,
with a capital of $1.7 billion.
Having reported that, I should also warn that Sudan needs a major overhaul of
its business environment. Its inefficient bureaucratic system, slow judicial
institutions and government corruption are depressing current investors and
frightening off potential investors. More should be done to improve the
country's infrastructure and superstructure, including transportation,
communication, financial institutions and road/rail/river/sea networks.
Welcome Sudan to the Arab camp. It has been two decades since we were this
close. Now we can announce that the bridge across the Red Sea is about to be
built! Our Sudan is back!
— Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi is a Saudi writer based in Jeddah. He can be
reached at kbatarfi@gmail.com. Follow him at Twitter:@kbatarfi
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