Sudan’s vast land and water resources and strategic position in northeastern Africa present unexplored opportunities to Korean investors, according to the country’s top envoy.

Sudanese Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour came to Korea last week and held a discussion on diverse bilateral with his counterpart, Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se. He also met potential investors and officials at a forum organized by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“With vast land and water, we have large potentials as an agricultural economy,” he told The Korea Herald in an interview. “Sudan also has large untapped possibilities in cotton, spinning and textile, meat, agro-food, light equipment, mining, oil and tourism sectors.”

Sudan is diversifying its economy, the diplomat explained, adding that Khartoum is unleashing its capacities to shore up the agro-industries and manufacturing. 

The country is a member of the United Nations, the African Union, the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Non-Aligned Movement, as well as an observer in the World Trade Organization.

As part of the Arab League of 22 member nations as well as the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa of 19 member states, Sudan is well placed and well connected to its regional markets in Africa and the Middle East, Ghandour said.

“We are using microfinancing from banks to help youth employment,” he added.

Sudan and Korea established diplomatic relations in 1977. The two sides held its fifth round of joint policy consultation in October last year in Seoul. Experts on both sides are fleshing out the results of the meeting, the minister noted.

A vocational training center will soon open in the Al Gezira state in east-central Sudan with the help of Korea International Cooperation Agency. Further assistance from Korea includes the fight against schistosomiasis, a waterborne disease common in northeastern Africa that affects internal organs and feet.

The minister pinned hope on the outcome of the National Dialogue process -- dealing with issues of peace and security, governance, political freedom and practice, national identity, foreign relations and economic development -- that has gone on for the last two years with different stakeholders participating.

Participants recently agreed on a road map that will form the basis of a constitution and be subjected to a referendum, Ghandour said.

By Joel Lee (joel@heraldcorp.com)