Several Sudanese banks notified of closure of foreign accounts
January 18, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – A number of Sudanese banks were notified by their peers in China, Europe, Asia and Middle East that their accounts will be closed which would lead to a cessation of incoming and outgoing wire transfers to and from Sudan, sources said.
A group of Sudanese importers and exporters spoke of tremendous difficulties they face in obtaining letters of credit from foreign banks .
The director of the Inspection Department of the Central Bank of Sudan Asmaa Abdul-Rahman Khairi on Saturday acknowledged that Sudanese banks had their accounts closed abroad.
Kamal Karrar, an economic analyst, attributed the move to the existence of previously unsatisfied financial obligations by these banks which he said have created a bad reputation for them.
He warned that this could deprive these banks of international funding sources calling it a testimony to the lack of confidence in Sudan’s banking system.
Karrar pointed that this would adversely impact the activity of importers and exporters, stressing that since the Islamization of the banking sector it only serves the interests of the ruling elite.
The analyst said that the recent developments reinforces the view of corruption in Sudan’s public sector.
US sanctions dating back to the Clinton administration in 1997 bars any financial dealings with Sudan or institutions owned by Khartoum which complicates Sudan’s access to international financial markets and US dollars.
(ST)
