Port Sudan – (SUNA) – The Minister of Finance and National Economy, Dr. Jibril Ibrahim, announced today that there are contacts with several international bodies and institutions regarding the reconstruction of what was destroyed by the rebel militia war.
The Minister pointed to the formation of a high committee for reconstruction and compensation, which has prepared a comprehensive vision, and that a commission for reconstruction will be established.
The Minister explained that they have a clear vision for reconstruction and that post-war Sudan will be completely different.
He noted that their focus will be on infrastructure, people, and providing basic services.
During his speech at the periodic forum of the Ministry of Information organized by Sudan News Agency, held this evening at Damman Tower in Port Sudan, the Minister said that a high-level Saudi delegation will arrive in the country tomorrow to discuss reconstruction arrangements alongside holding external meetings.
Visits to Kuwait will also begin in the second week of next April, in addition to anticipated meetings with the Islamic Development Bank in Jeddah, the World Bank in Washington, and the African Development Bank, with the aim of seeking participation in reconstruction.
The Minister mentioned that they have moved beyond the stage of relief and aid to the stage of reconstruction, development, and rebuilding of roads and vital facilities damaged by the militia war.
Jibril added in the 17th informative conference organized by the Ministry of Information under the umbrella of Sudan News Agency, that the banking system has a significant role in reconstruction through financing small farmers via microfinance, indicating that Sudanese banks were affected by the ongoing war, and that the reconstruction process needs infrastructure, huge funds, and significant financing.
He confirmed their efforts to enter into partnerships with investors to attract them. He pointed out that telecommunications companies have promised to provide money transfer services via SMS (without internet) by the end of next April, confirming that one company is ready now.
Dr. Jibril denied selling citizens’ vehicles as scrap or seizing their lands, emphasizing that the Minister of Finance has no relation to lands or cars, and that the authority of seizure is only within the jurisdiction of the judiciary. He added that the current government’s goal is to find ways to compensate citizens, not to take away their rights, calling on the media to verify the accuracy of information before publishing.
The Minister indicated that many laws have changed in the field of investment, and many agreements have been signed.
Regarding the current economic situation, he said that the country is moving reasonably well, there is great stability, which is a rare case in times of war.
Dr. Jibril explained that the obstacles faced in currency replacement have been overcome, pointing out that the reasons included quantities of money that were looted and taken out, in addition to the presence of counterfeit currencies and money outside the banking system. He confirmed that the government is seeking to return these funds to the banking system, indicating that electronic transactions greatly help in achieving a significant increase in revenues and their entry into banks.
