Events

MINSK, 29 August (BelTA) – A roadmap document on advancing Belarus-Sudan cooperation was signed in Minsk on 29 August, BelTA has learned. The document was signed by Belarusian Energy Minister Vladimir Potupchik, who is also the chairman of the Belarusian part of the Belarusian-Sudanese cooperation commission, and Sudanese Petroleum and Gas Minister Osman Abdulrahman.

The roadmap envisages cooperation in the spheres of oil and natural gas, water resources and power engineering, production sector, trade, higher education and scientific research, banking, finance, and other spheres. The projects the document mentions include the production of Belarusian machines and vehicles in Sudan, shipments of road construction machines, utility vehicles, forestry machines, grain-drying complexes, and geological prospecting work in Sudan.

Vladimir Potupchik noted that the Belarus president’s visit to Sudan in January 2017 considerably galvanized Belarus’ relations with that country. All the possible cooperation avenues were explored during that visit. “We view Sudan as a staging area for promoting Belarusian interests in Africa. We have a good potential, which we must definitely tap into. The roadmap is an instrument to make sure the agreements we have reached will be fulfilled. The fulfillment of the projects will represent a significant step in promoting mutual interests of both countries,” he added.

Osman Abdulrahman told mass media that it is extremely important for Sudan to implement the projects stipulated by the roadmap. The official said he was confident that the roadmap will give an impulse to the advancement of mutually beneficial relations in all spheres. Training and career enhancement of Sudanese specialists is of particular importance.

The sides discussed the current state, development prospects, possible ways of stepping up cooperation, and a schedule of Belarusian-Sudanese events and visits. The negotiations confirmed that Sudan is interested in advancing cooperation in the production sector, civil engineering, and agriculture, in buying Belarusian automobiles and tractors, agricultural and road construction machines. Various options for the Belarusian side to participate in petrochemical and energy projects were discussed.

While in Minsk Osman Abdulrahman met with top officials of the Industry Ministry, the Agriculture and Food Ministry, the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Ministry, the Architecture and Construction Ministry, the petrochemical concern Belneftekhim, the light industry concern Bellegprom, and the Belarusian timber, woodworking, pulp and paper industry concern Bellesbumprom. The delegation also visited several Belarusian companies.