The Minister of Investment has disclosed preparation for establishment of first agricultural free zone worldwide with the purpose to develop investment in the agricultural field and to avail opportunities to the Gulf states to make access to their products of relative advantage (oil and fertilizers) to reduce production cost through availability of inputs.
Dr. Ismail said, in statement to SUNA, that there was a technical committee conducted study on the project and now it is in its final review prior its implementation in specific locations to be as the first agricultural free zone in the world and a model for the other agricultural areas in Sudan.
He explained that the free zones became a key objective for economic development in Sudan after the adoption of the Act of Free Zones and markets by the Council of Ministers, setting of its strategy of formation of the National Council for Free Zones and Markets headed by the Minister of Investment, revealing signing of agreement for establishment of six free zones in neighbouring sites with Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Chad and the Arab Republic of Egypt, alongside signing of a couple of agreements of cooperation with Turkey and China.
Dr. Ismail praised the agreement of the Ministry of Oil with the Canadian and Nigerian investors in the field of petroleum in Al-Rawat Area, which is considered one of the areas a promising with the oil resources including the states of white Nile, South and West Kordofan, explaining that the work will start in near future, expecting its return will be high support Sudan economy.