French trade minister to visit Sudan Jan 15-16?
PARIS, Jan 14, 2004 (KUNA) — French junior minister for trade, Francois Loos, will pay a two-day visit to Sudan, beginning January 15, to discuss reconstruction aid and bilateral economic ties, the Foreign Ministry announced.
France has been a strong backer of the peace process in Sudan and has promised political and economic support for the country if the decades-old ethnic rivalry ends there.
Loos is expected to be met at the highest level by Sudanese government officials and he should meet with President Omar Hassan Ahmed Al-Bashir.
The Minister will confirm the availability of France to participate in the reconstruction of Sudan in the context created by the recent peace process,” the French Foreign Ministry said.
This participation would include “mobilizing French companies that are already present in Sudan.”
Loos will also hold talks with the Sudanese Industry, Foreign Trade, Transport and Electricity Ministries.