Egyptian Ambassador in Sudan Ossama Shaltout asserted Egypt's keenness to participate and cooperate in economic development projects in Sudan.
In an exclusive interview with MENA on Monday, Shaltout said the number of Egyptian investment projects approved by the Sudanese Investment Ministry reached 229 projects which are worth US$11 billion.
Egyptian investments in Sudan are cumulative since 2000, the ambassador said, adding that they are distributed across various fields in which 122 projects in the industrial field are worth $1.372 billion, 90 projects in the service field are worth $629 million and 17 projects in the agricultural field are worth $89 million.
The number of Egyptian projects implemented in Sudan reached 78 projects worth $800 million in which 42 projects are in the industrial field and are worth $505 million, 29 projects in the service field are worth $189 million and seven projects in the agricultural field are worth $105 million.
The largest percentage of Egyptian investments will be implemented in the Khartoum state, which exceeds 70 percent of the volume of projects in all Sudanese states.
He added that Egypt and Sudan are depending on the inauguration of new crossings to contribute to increasing the volume of trade between the two countries.
He also underlined that the volume of joint investments will increase after facilitating measures of the transportation of goods and services.
Egypt discussed with Sudan the establishment of a joint free zone at the borders that will contribute to increasing the volume of trade and industry between the two countries.
Meanwhile, the ambassador stressed that Egypt's keenness to surpass all obstacles is hindering the drug industry in Sudan, adding that there are five companies that are specialized in the drug industry in Egypt and working in various Sudanese states with investment that equal $120 million.
