Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KHARTOUM1718
2006-07-18 17:10:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Khartoum
Cable title:  

Sudan Economic Round-Up, July 1-15, 2006

Tags:  PREL PGOV EFIN EPET ECON EAID ELTN SU 
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PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHKH #1718/01 1991710
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 181710Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3773
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0032
RUEHKL/AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR 0003
RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 0081
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 1354
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0027
RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI 0013
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001718 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/SPG, AF/EPS, AND EB/IFD
DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR, AND ALSO PASS USAID

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EFIN EPET ECON EAID ELTN SU
SUBJECT: Sudan Economic Round-Up, July 1-15, 2006

KHARTOUM 00001718 001.2 OF 002


2005 Investment Report: USD 5 M Projected for 2006
--------------------------------------------- ------

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001718

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/SPG, AF/EPS, AND EB/IFD
DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR, AND ALSO PASS USAID

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EFIN EPET ECON EAID ELTN SU
SUBJECT: Sudan Economic Round-Up, July 1-15, 2006

KHARTOUM 00001718 001.2 OF 002


2005 Investment Report: USD 5 M Projected for 2006
-------------- --------------


1. Statistics released by the Central Bank of Sudan (CBOS) show
that between 1999 and 2004, Sudan accumulated a total USD 9 billion
in foreign investment. In 2005, USD 3.2 billion in foreign
investment was added to the total, and the Ministry of Investment
expects another USD 5 billion in 2006. Although the Ministry of
Finance does not provide country breakdowns, China continues to be
the largest investor in Sudan (detailed in septel).

Malaysian Co. Set to Win GoSS Electric Power Contract
-------------- --------------


2. The media reported on July 1 that the Government of Southern
Sudan is set to award Malaysia's Sithu M Company the $9.5 billion
hydroelectric contract. The company is expected to submit its final
proposal within the next three months.

Sudan, South Africa Form Bilateral Joint Commission
-------------- --------------


3. Sudan's State Minister of International Cooperation recently
headed a 19-person delegation to South Africa. This trip concluded
with the signing of a Bilateral Joint Commission to establish
cooperation on political, industrial, and economic matters.

Central Bank to Organize Money Laundering Workshop
-------------- --------------


4. With collaboration with the World Bank, the CBOS will organize a
workshop with the aim of combating money laundering in Sudan. The
workshop will deal with laws and schedules related to money
laundering crimes, with an eye to assist in drafting legislation in
line with current international efforts to address this issue.

Kenya, GOSS Sign Cooperation Deal
--------------


5. Kenya and the Government of Southern Sudan signed an agreement
on technical, economic, and cultural cooperation on July 7 in
Nairobi. It calls for the identification of priority projects and

programs for implementation and mobilization of financial resources
from external donors and other international organizations for
specific projects and programs. Samson Kwaje, GOSS Minister of
Information, Radio, and Television, said that the signing of the
agreement is expected to increase training of GoSS personnel in the
health care, education, military, and police sectors.

Chinese Complete Khartoum Refinery Expansion
--------------


6. The China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) has completed expansion
of the Sudan's sole major refinery north of Khartoum from its
present capacity of 50,000 barrels per day to 100,000. The total
project is valued at $341 million.

Central Bank, Arab Investment Co. Sign Agreements
-------------- --------------


7. On July 1, the Central Bank of Sudan (CBOS) and the Arab
Investment Company signed an agreement establishing two funds with a
capital of $250 million to provide financial coverage for commercial
banks to assist imports of raw materials, agricultural inputs, and
capital goods commodities in addition to agricultural machinery.

Minister of Energy and Mining Meets with Schlumberger
-------------- --------------


8. Schlumberger Company (headquartered in Paris) representatives met
with the Minister of Energy and Mining to discuss ways to expand
cooperation between the firm and Sudan, with the company seeking to
increase its role as a regional center for its services in
neighboring Arab and African countries.

New Lebanese Bank Opens in Sudan
--------------


9. Lebanon's Al Auda Bank has signed a joint venture with Sudan's
Ahli Bank to increase banking services in Sudan. An Al Auda
representative stated that the Lebanese bank has already invested
$70 million in Sudan.


KHARTOUM 00001718 002.2 OF 002


UAE Investors, DEPA Close Hotel Construction Deal
-------------- --------------


10. On July 12, UAE investors and DEPA Interiors have closed a deal
to build a $30 million hotel in Khartoum. This will be second
large, up-scale hotel complex project in the capital. Construction
on the $30 million Libyan-owned Libya Commercial Center complex is
nearing completion. DEPA Interiors is best known for its
partnership with owners of the Dubai Burjal Arab Tower.

Kenya's Dairo Air to Fly Larger Planes into Juba
-------------- ---


11. Dairo Air is set to introduce bigger aircraft on it Entebbe -
Juba route to satisfy increasing number of travelers and cargo to
Southern Sudan.

VP Taha Meets With Business Community
--------------


12. On July 11, Vice President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha met with
members of the Sudanese Businessmen's Union. Press reports stated
that the meeting was focused on two problems hindering the Union's
work -- finance and taxation. Taha stated that the finance problem
was already solved through CBOS's agreement with the Arab Investment
Company of Bahrain to provide $250 million to finance private sector
imports. They also discussed ways to increase Sudanese
(non-petroleum) exports.

STEINFELD