Sudan develops relations with Eastern Asia instead of missing time with the West– minister
March 12, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — Ali Karti, state minister for foreign affairs said Sudan is keen to develop relations with East Asian countries and promote economic exchange instead of missing time with the West.
The minister is in Malaysia to head the second consultative meeting for Sudan’s ambassadors in the region. It comes two years after holding the first meeting for the Sudanese envoys there in Beijing.
Due to human rights abuses and suppression of public freedoms, the regime of General Omer Al-Bashir has been during the last twenty years under international pressures. Also because of its military nature, European Union and United States stopped their economic aid and support. In addition, Sudan is still placed on the list of countries supporting terrorism with Iran, Syria and Cuba.
“Sudan has turned its back on the Western countries which do not provide any aid, economic cooperation, or humanitarian assistance without political requirements” Karti said in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.
The Sudanese official expressed the hope that the conference will have a large impact in Sudan’s economic policy, noting that it would allow his country to consolidate relations with the East Asia region.
The volume of trade exchange between the Sudan and South East Asia, including China exceeded $ 12 billion and it is expected to hit $ 50 billion during the coming years.
The Malaysian Deputy Foreign Minister A. Kohilan Pillay who attended the opening session Friday expressed hopes that bilateral relations, which started since 1991, could be further strengthened through exchange of visits.
He said the Malaysian government would encourage local companies to grab opportunities offered by the Sudanese government.
“Our bilateral trade is on a positive trend although the volume is not very huge,” he said.
On his route to Kuala Lumpur, the state minister paid a one day visit to Phnom Penh where he expressed Sudan’s interest to invest in Cambodian agriculture.
Ali Karti during a meeting with the Prime Minister Hun Sen held on Thursday said his country is interested in making investment in Cambodia particularly in agricultural sector. .
Cambodia used to export rice to Sudan and has sent military personnel there as part of the United Nations peacekeeping mission.
(ST)