Sudan looks to strengthen economic ties with Bangladesh

March 12, 2008 (DAKAR) — A Sudanese official called on Bangladesh to explore potential economic opportunities in Sudan.

Sudan’s state Minister for Foreign Affairs Al-Samani Al-Wasila made the remarks during his meeting with the Bengali adviser for the Foreign Ministry Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury on the sidelines of Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) conference in Dakar, Senegal.

The United News of Bangladesh agency quoted Al-Wasila as saying that there “would be need for Bangladeshi skilled and semi-skilled manpower in Sudanese development”.

“The Sudanese government and people would welcome the participation of Bangladeshi companies and firms in the consequent economic activities” he Al-Wasila said.

“We would be happy to fill this need,” Dr. Chowdhury told Elsamani.

The Sudanese official hailed the role of Bengali peacekeepers operating in the South “helping bring stability”.

Chowdhury also said that there are plans by his government to inaugrate diplomatic mission in Khartoum “in line with Bangladesh’s growing relations with that country”.

Sudan has been forced during the last decade to rely on East Asian companies and capital to fuel development as a result of sanctions imposed by the US and Europe.

China, Malaysia and India are the top Asian investors in Sudan particularly in the oil industry.

However even foreign companies are at risk of being sanctioned for doing business with Sudan.

Last month the Director of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Adam Szubin said that his office is preparing to launch a string of civil actions against companies it says have breached sanctions imposed on Sudan.

Szubin said that this will affect both U.S. companies and foreign companies operating from inside the United States.

(ST)