Hilton Hotels withdrawing from Sudan by year end

August 6, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Hilton Hotels will withdraw from doing business in Sudan by year end for fear of facing penalties by US Treasury for violating sanctions.

The daily Al-Rayaam newspaper said that the French group Accord will take over the Hilton Hotels in Sudan after its exit.

Us laws prohibits Americans from conducting business in Sudan except in exempt areas of the South as long as they don’t involve Sudan’s petroleum or petrochemical industries or any property or interests in property of the government of Sudan.

Last May US president Bush ordered economic sanctions, barring 30 companies ‘owned or controlled by the government of Sudan’ from the US financial system.

Al-Rayaam said that American staff of Hilton in Sudan are preparing for their departure following the decision.

Hilton chains own a hotel in Khartoum and in the coastal city of Port Sudan.

(ST)