RIYADH: New moves are being made to expand trade and investment between Saudi Arabia and Sudan

In one such move, Ahmed Al-Tijani Suwar, deputy chief of the Sudanese mission in Riyadh, recently met Mohammed Al-Kathiri, secretary general of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), discussed trade relations between the business sectors of the two countries.

They also discussed the participation of Saudi companies in the upcoming Khartoum international fair to be held between Jan. 25 and Feb. 1, a chamber official said.

The fair, which started in 1976, is being held annually at a site on the left bank of the Blue Nile in Khartoum.

About 15 countries took part in the last session held in January 2014, where about 600 firms displayed various products and services.

The two sides also discussed the progress of Saudi investment projects in Sudan. RCCI hosted the second Saudi-Sudanese investment forum here last year, which recommended that bilateral cooperation can be further promoted, especially as Sudan is seeking to improve its investment climate with its government setting up free zones to attract investors in industrial, mining, financial and agricultural sectors.

Trade between the two countries totaled SR4,117 million in November 2015.