Accra:Finance Minister Dr. Gebreil Ibrahim emphasized the need for increased investment in Sudan's agricultural resources and highlighted the country's potential to expand investment opportunities. He welcomed the return of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD) to resume operations from Sudan, noting the country's fertile land, abundant water resources, and large cultivable areas as key advantages.
According to Sudan News Agency, Dr. Gebreil addressed the Agricultural Investment and Trade Forum on Value Chains for Priority Commodities in Sudan, advocating for effective resource utilization to achieve sustainable development and enhance agricultural production. He pointed out Sudan's comparative strengths in agricultural crop production and encouraged concerted efforts to boost production and widen agricultural investment opportunities.
The finance minister also encouraged farmers to use agricultural insurance services to stabilize productive activities and mitigate risks. He mentioned that various institutions, including international and regional financing bodies, provide agricultural insurance and financing services to support farmers and stimulate investment in the sector.
AOAD Director-General Professor Ibrahim Al-Dukhairi stated that the forum is part of a series of investment and trade forums organized across several Arab countries under a trade facilitation project managed by an entity within the Islamic Development Bank Group. The project focuses on strategic crops tailored to each country's strengths, with Sudan concentrating on gum Arabic and groundnuts.
Al-Dukhairi highlighted that the forum aims to address key issues related to developing agricultural value chains, focusing on five main themes. He affirmed the organization's commitment to rebuilding Sudan's agricultural sector, which is vital for the national economy as many Sudanese depend on agriculture for their livelihood.
He also announced a partnership between AOAD and the Bank of Khartoum to support agricultural financing and investment, including solar energy projects in the Northern and River Nile States. Al-Dukhairi stressed the importance of channeling financial resources into productive activities and improving the agricultural sector's efficiency through technical support and capacity building.
The forum was attended by representatives from agriculture and livestock ministries, banks, economic leaders, judicial authorities, security and police agencies, and farmers.