Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs Lee Tae-ho (left) and Undersecretary Abdel-ghani Elnaim of the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs pose for a photo in Khartoum on April 5. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
By Kim Young Shin
Korea and Sudan are set to expand cooperation across a wide range of economic sectors.
Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs Lee Tae-ho visited Sudan on April 4 and 5 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He held meetings with Sudanese governors, such as State Minister Kamal-Eldeen from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to discuss collaboration between the two nations.
“Since last year’s foreign ministerial talks during Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour’s visit to Korea, cooperation between the two countries has strengthened,” said State Minister Kamal-Eldeen. “I expect collaboration between our two countries to develop even further, as U.S. sanctions are being lifted from Sudan beginning early this year.”
Deputy Minister Lee took the chance to explain recent issues on the Korean Peninsula regarding North Korea’s missile threats and requested Sudan’s persistent support on the matter.
“Sudan is not militarily cooperating with North Korea in any form,” said State Minister Kamal-Eldeen. “Sudan will continue to work together to solve the problem concerning North Korea.”
Deputy Minister Lee also held high-level policy consultations with Undersecretary Abdel-ghani Elnaim from the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and agreed to hold regular high-level meetings between the two countries. The two parties also discussed ways to accelerate cooperation on trade, investment and development, and on regional issues.
Undersecretary Elnaim called for substantial economic ties, such as bilateral investment and trade, and the launch of business forums where Sudanese and Korean corporations could join hands on joint projects.
“As soon as the framework for economic exchange is established, bilateral investment and trade will eventually be expanded,” said the deputy minister. He asked for Sudan’s support for approving and revising pacts to promote and protect investment, to prevent double taxation and an agreement on grant aid.
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