More Malaysia-Sudan Joint Ventures Underway - Bernama, Malaysian National News Agency, May 14
KUALA LUMPUR, May 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysian and Sudanese companies are expected to undertake joint venture projects in areas such as agriculture, infrastructure development, power generation and energy, says Sudan's Minister of Industry and Investment Dr Abdul Halim Ismail Al-Muta'afi.
He said if ongoing discussions between various parties were successful, Malaysia's participation in the vast African country would go beyond the petroleum industry.
He said one Sudanese company was discussing with Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Berhad (Proton) on the possibility of importing Malaysian cars for the 30 million strong Sudan market.
"We see the smart partnership concept as very fruitful and with technical experience and resources on your side plus the political will on both sides, these kind of cooperation will materialise," he told Bernama in an interview.
Abdul Halim arrived here on Tuesday for a week-long visit. He attended the just concluded Umno general assembly and will be meeting International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Rafidah Aziz.
Sudan, sharing boundaries with nine countries in north-east Africa, is the largest country in the continent with a total area of 2.5 million square kilometers. It is rich in agriculture, livestock and mining.
In the agricultural sector, Abdul Halim said there are huge potentials in food processing, both for for local consumption and export, as Sudan has vast tracts of arable land suitable for crops such as rice and more than 130 million heads of cattle.
Abdul Halim said the massive development in the petroleum sector had brought about major changes in many aspects of the Sudanese people's lives and as such Malaysian investors were welcomed to develop the infrastructure sector including road, rail and river transport.
He said the Malaysian private sector, with its wide experiences in developing the country's tourism sector, can grab many opportunities in the fast growing tourism sector in Sudan, especially hotel and resort construction and safari park development.
As Sudan has fully embarked on market economy, Abdul Halim said the textile industry was now open for privatisation, following the opening of other sectors such as powrer generation and telecommunications.
He said the lack of direct trade links between the two countries can be overcome when more joint-venture projects are carried out and the trade expands. Currently trade between the two countries is conducted through third countries, particularly the Gulf nations.
Malaysia's exports to Sudan comprise electronic and electrical products, palm oil, spare parts, pharmaceutical products, fertilizers and furniture while its main imports are agriculture products, seeds, cotton, groundnuts, sugar and Arabic gum (for printing inks).
Abdul Halim said Sudan appericiated Malaysia very much as national oil company Petronas had ventured into the country a few years ago at a time when others were reluctant to do so.
Petronas has a 30 percent stake in a consortium called Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Co Ltd (GNPOC) which is involved in the Muglad Basin Oil Development project in Sudan.
On political stability, Abdul Halim assured foreign investors that there was nothing to be worried as Sudan is a peaceful country which gives importance to economic and social development. |
