World Bank, donors to fund southern Sudan development

KAMPALA, Uganda, June 22, 2005 (PANA) — The World Bank and other donor agencies have set aside close to US$4.5 billion
to support resettlement and development in the Sudan
following the return of peace in the vast country’s
southern region early this year.

The WB donation is part of the peace deal, which will
be co-financed by US$3.5 billion subtracted from
total revenue earned from oil exports.

The promise and hope created by this huge amount of
cash has nudged neighbouring countries into frenzied
activities to organise an effective market entry plan
into Southern Sudan.

“Uganda should hurry to take up these opportunities
of providing the necessary goods and services. These
are our dear brothers. We should not let other
countries take away these opportunities,” Tourism,
Trade and Industry Minister Daudi Migereko is
reported by the Monitor newspaper as saying.

Ugandans who have ventured into Southern Sudan said
the risks were as high as were the returns. The
challenges range from lack of a legal framework, road
networks, security, accommodation and language
barrier, among others and communication.

For instance, a night’s sleep in a mad hut without a
door costs an average of US$35 and tents cost $100
per night, yet the cost of constructing a hut is $20.

Apart from Uganda, Kenya, South Africa and the Sudan
government all have keen interest in the region.