Tuesday 14 February saw the curtain fall on the inaugural three-day Sudan Development Program Summit in Dubai, where Sudanese government figures were able to meet with private sector representatives to discuss investment opportunities and the execution of the many high demand infrastructure projects being undertaken in Sudan.
The summit featured several facets, including an exhibition, conference panels, ministerial workshops and private consultations. It benefited from an unrivalled ministerial delegation, led by Minister of State for Investment Elsimaih ElSiddig Elnvr and including Minister of State for Finance Ahmed Almajzoub, Minister of State for Energy & Mining Dr Angelina Teny and the Minister of Trade & Commerce for the Government of Southern Sudan, Dr Anthony Makana. The delegation arrived on Sunday 12 February, following the opening of a 4,000 square-metre exhibition.
The panel sessions featured a number of esteemed speakers, who covered all of the burning issues within Sudan, across sectors such as investment, finance, oil, gas, mining, agriculture, water, animal resources, trade, industry, transport, security and logistics. All of the sessions included presentations from the ministerial delegation, represented at ministerial, undersecretary and director general level.
Elsewhere at the summit, which was held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, ministerial workshops were held on behalf of the ministries of Transport, Irrigation & Water, Energy & Mining, Agriculture and Industry, while the delegation also arranged private meetings with selected companies throughout the course of the summit.
Incorporating all of these facets while also providing great opportunities for private networking among delegates, the summit provided a key vehicle for improving dialogue between Sudan and the international business community, with tremendous feedback from delegates, exhibitors and speakers alike.
The success of the summit promises much for both Sudan and the Sudan Development Program, with discussions being held for the next summit to take place later in the year in Khartoum, following a request from the Minister of Investment Malik Aggar Ayar.
