Sudan Development Program (Khartoum)
PRESS RELEASE

An agreement was signed last night by the Sudanese Government announcing its full endorsement of the Sudan Development Program, an initiative organised to raise the economic profile of Sudan.

Over 100 ministry officials, private sector representatives and members of the world's press gathered in Khartoum on Monday evening to announce the official launch of the program, the objectives of which are to facilitate Sudan's commercial development, promote bilateral relations, to provide the international business community with direct access to ministers and to give the Sudanese private sector a direct business channel to the global community.

The signing ceremony featured Sudanese Minister of Investment H.E. Malik Aggar Ayar and his team of advisors, along with representatives from eight other government ministries. Following the signing, the ministers took questions from the floor.

Sponsored by Byblos Bank, the event served as an official precursor to the inaugural Sudan Development Program Summit, which takes place in Dubai on 12-14 February 2006 and will enable face-to-face interaction between ministers, global commerce and local business, resulting in discussions on how all parties can best contribute to Sudan's burgeoning economic development.

Perhaps most importantly, the Sudan Development Program will provide local Sudanese companies with the opportunity to sit alongside their global contemporaries to discuss partnership agreements and the signing of procurement contracts.

The ceremony also featured an address by Asif Faiz, Country Manager the from World Bank, who declared the institution's support for the project.

"The World Bank recently opened its Sudan office for the first time on 30 years and was looking at establishing its own program for Sudan," he said.

"However, in light of what is being established by the Sudan Development Program in partnership with the government we are happy to let them continue and offer them our full support."

An agreement was signed last night by the Sudanese Government announcing its full endorsement of the Sudan Development Program, an initiative organised to raise the economic profile of Sudan.

Over 100 ministry officials, private sector representatives and members of the world's press gathered in Khartoum on Monday evening to announce the official launch of the program, the objectives of which are to facilitate Sudan's commercial development, promote bilateral relations, to provide the international business community with direct access to ministers and to give the Sudanese private sector a direct business channel to the global community.

The signing ceremony featured Sudanese Minister of Investment H.E. Malik Aggar Ayar and his team of advisors, along with representatives from eight other government ministries. Following the signing, the ministers took questions from the floor.

Sponsored by Byblos Bank, the event served as an official precursor to the inaugural Sudan Development Program Summit, which takes place in Dubai on 12-14 February 2006 and will enable face-to-face interaction between ministers, global commerce and local business, resulting in discussions on how all parties can best contribute to Sudan's burgeoning economic development.

Perhaps most importantly, the Sudan Development Program will provide local Sudanese companies with the opportunity to sit alongside their global contemporaries to discuss partnership agreements and the signing of procurement contracts.

The ceremony also featured an address by Asif Faiz, Country Manager from the World Bank, who declared the institution's support for the project.

"The World Bank recently opened its Sudan office for the first time on 30 years and was looking at establishing its own program for Sudan," he said.

"However, in light of what is being established by the Sudan Development Program in partnership with the government we are happy to let them continue and offer them our full support."

An agreement was signed last night by the Sudanese Government announcing its full endorsement of the Sudan Development Program, an initiative organised to raise the economic profile of Sudan.

Over 100 ministry officials, private sector representatives and members of the world's press gathered in Khartoum on Monday evening to announce the official launch of the program, the objectives of which are to facilitate Sudan's commercial development, promote bilateral relations, to provide the international business community with direct access to ministers and to give the Sudanese private sector a direct business channel to the global community.

The signing ceremony featured Sudanese Minister of Investment H.E. Malik Aggar Ayar and his team of advisors, along with representatives from eight other government ministries. Following the signing, the ministers took questions from the floor.

Sponsored by Byblos Bank, the event served as an official precursor to the inaugural Sudan Development Program Summit, which takes place in Dubai on 12-14 February 2006 and will enable face-to-face interaction between ministers, global commerce and local business, resulting in discussions on how all parties can best contribute to Sudan's burgeoning economic development.

Perhaps most importantly, the Sudan Development Program will provide local Sudanese companies with the opportunity to sit alongside their global contemporaries to discuss partnership agreements and the signing of procurement contracts.

The ceremony also featured an address by Asif Faiz, Country Manager from the World Bank, who declared the institution's support for the project.

"The World Bank recently opened its Sudan office for the first time on 30 years and was looking at establishing its own program for Sudan," he said.