Sudan affirmed its desire to enhance economic cooperation with Algeria, through investment in the field of mining and minerals, and by using Algeria’s expertise in oil and gas exploration in the Red Sea, praising Algeria’s clear position against foreign interference.

On the sidelines of the meetings of the Islamic Development Bank Group in Riyadh, according to what was reported by the Sudanese News Agency (SUNA), the Minister of Finance, Laaziz Faid, spoke with his Sudanese counterpart, Jibril Ibrahim, about a number of economic and development issues of common interest.

Minister Jibril Ibrahim presented a comprehensive report on the economic and political situation in his country, expressing his thanks to Algeria for its clear positions against foreign interference and his emphasis on the depth of historical relations between the two countries.

In the context of economic cooperation, Mr. Jibril stressed the importance of resuming financing for stalled projects in his country, in addition to supporting the initiatives of a number of countries to form a bridge loan to remove arrears and resume economic aid, and strengthening efforts to benefit from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa.

The same official also stressed the need to use Algeria’s expertise in exploring for oil and gas in the Red Sea.

For his part, Mr. Ra’i Al-Siddiq, Governor of the Central Bank of Sudan, praised Algeria’s patience with his country’s delay in paying the dues of the previous deposit, expressing his aspiration to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries, calling for strengthening economic relations between the two countries, including investment in sectors such as mining and minerals and construction. A copper refinery, in addition to granting licenses to Algerian banks to open branches in Sudan to facilitate trade exchange between the two countries.

In another context, the Minister of Finance, Laaziz Faid, expressed his regret for what is happening in Sudan, wishing that peace and stability would prevail there, stressing Algeria’s support for the country in the Board of Governors, which Algeria will chair next year, welcoming its proposals to strengthen economic relations between the two countries.

Mr. Faid highlighted the importance of Sudan as a gateway to East Africa, and promised to study the proposals presented before responding to them.

Wissam Koudache / English Version: Med.B