Sudan’s Upper Nile Governor ends Germany trip
September 9, 2008 (BONN) — Governor of Sudanese Upper State, Gatluak Deng Garang, today concluded a ten-day visit to Germany after a meeting with Lars Wilke, Desk Officer for Sudan in the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development in Bonn.
The two sides discussed issues of bilateral relations and economic development in the oil rich state. The Governor reiterated the need for a State Master Plan, which would act as a development roadmap for the next 3 years.
“Germany has experienced the same situation similar to us and has had tremendous success in post war reconstruction, this is a country we can identify with, it is this experience we need to develop Southern Sudan and Upper Nile State,” the Governor said.
Wilke assured the Governor that Germany is currently working with the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) to build a good system of governance and in the area of good clean drinking water. German GTZ is also working in the South in areas of infrastructure and will be directed to engage with Upper Nile State immediately.
Private Sector with expertise in Master Plan and Development Road-Map will be encouraged to do business with Upper Nile State, the German official asserted.
The meeting was attended by Steven Dheiu Dau, Upper Nile State’s Minister for Finance, Trade and Economic Planning, and Dobuol Lualweang, Bilateral Relations’ Director of Southern Sudan Ministry For Regional Cooperation.
LOCAL AIRLINER FOR UPPER NILE
Governor Garang also inked a contract with a German private company to link the Upper Nile State with the rest of the country and abroad by airplane.
On September 4, 2008 the Governor met with Wolfgang Zagel, an owner of an aviation company who has a number planes and helicopters under lease with the UNMIS.
Zagel agreed with to the Governor to provide air services with aeroplanes to/from Malakal to domestic destinations as well as to neighbouring countries with the Sudanese partner NOVA Airlines. The two parties are currently discussing the set up and the type of aircrafts available.
The Upper Nile State also agreed to provide facilities at the airport while the German company will provide helicopter services for government transport and medical evacuation.
The German business man also agreed with the Governor Garang to send a representative next week to Malakal to sign a contract and introduce the “African Homes” Pre-Fab Houses and model of low cost houses.
The housing projects are one of top priorities of the Governor he had discussed the issue also with Chinese investors during his visit to China last month.
RIVER TRANSPORTATION
On the other hand, the Governor and the accompanying delegation met with a ship yard owner who also agreed to supply the State with one boat and one ferry. The Company consented to building of several shipping ports and a ship yards to revitalize river transport in southern Sudan.
The Governor agreed with German EDI International Drilling Company to conduct water drilling projects in the State within the next few weeks. EDI is currently working on joint water purification project with Signs of Hopes in Southern Sudan.
In a statement to Sudan Tribune the Governor calls on all private sector and investors around the world to come to Malakal and prospect the investment opportunities and chances to develop the State.
“Companies are also asked to conduct field assessments and information collection about the opportunities for investing in all areas of economic development,” he said.
(ST)