Sudan attends meeting of Least Developed Sugar Producing Countries in Brussels

KHARTOUM, Mar 04, 2004 (SUNA) — Minister of Industry, Dr Jalal Yusuf al-Duqayr headed Sudan’s delegation to the ministerial meeting of the Least Developed Sugar Producing Countries (LDCs) held in Brussels.

The meeting discussed the new proposed system of the European Union Market under the requirements of the World Trade Organization. The meeting adopted the “Everything But Arms” (EBA) initiative, which is an amendment to the EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP).

EBA extends duty and quota free access to all products originating in LDCs, except arms and ammunition. The meeting further called for retaining the current privileges and concessions given to the LDCs as well as increasing the export quotas for the LDCs and including other kinds of the processed sugar.

Meanwhile, the minister met with the European Commissioner for Trade and Agriculture at the EU headquarters, stressing the necessity of adopting a proposal put forwards by the LDCs to foster the opportunities of the LDCs in development, attracting investment, competing at international markets, etc.

According to the minister, Sudan will benefit from this proposal and will export 200,000 tonnes of sugar in the coming three years.