Importers’ Chamber: Saudi-Sudanese Investment Promotion Committee Should Stick to its Initial Role
Khartoum – Nazik Shamam
The National Chamber of Importers has accused a government committee of engaging in commercial activities unrelated to its core mandate.
The head of the National Chamber of Importers, Al-Sadiq Jalal Al-Din Saleh, expressed his concern on Monday regarding the activities of the committee formed by the Prime Minister of the Transitional Government, Dr. Kamil Idris, to promote Sudanese-Saudi investments. The committee is chaired by the Minister of Finance, with the Minister of Animal Resources serving as alternate chairman, and includes the Prime Minister’s advisor, Hussein Al-Hafyan, the Minister of Trade and Industry, and representatives of the business community.
In a press statement on Monday , Jalal wondered as to”Who selected the business representatives? Who is behind their nomination? Who supports their presence on the committee, especially since they do not belong to the official sectoral unions representing the private sector?”
In his press statements, Jalal explained that the committee’s tasks, as announced upon its formation, are to develop a strategic plan to enhance investments between the two countries, propose alternatives and solutions to overcome investment obstacles, achieve mutual benefit, and submit the necessary proposals and policies to improve the investment climate.
He added, “What is worrying and raises questions is that the committee, according to some of its practices, has begun to deviate from its tasks and objectives, engaging in commercial activities unrelated to its mandate. This necessitates the National Chamber of Importers posing frank and direct questions.”
Jalal revealed the signing of an agreement granting exclusive commercial agency and distribution rights in Sudan to a Saudi company, questioning whether this falls within the purview of the Sudanese-Saudi Investment Promotion Committee.
He added, “What does the committee have to do with a commercial contract granting exclusive agency and distribution rights to a Saudi company? Has the committee become a conduit for achieving private interests? Has the goal of promoting Sudanese-Saudi investments become a means to facilitate commercial arrangements that could lead to the creation of a new monopoly in Sudan?”
The head of the National Chamber of Importers affirmed that the Sudanese import sector is not incapable of independent action, does not require guardianship, and will not accept the imposition of trade arrangements behind closed doors or through committees exceeding their mandates.
He held the committee fully responsible for regulating its operations and preventing any transgressions committed by it or any of its members. He emphasized that the Prime Minister of the Transitional Government bears political and administrative responsibility for the committee he formed, and for any transgressions committed in its name or through it.
Jalal stressed that the Chamber of Importers will not allow the Saudi-Sudanese Investment Promotion Committee to be hijacked for private interests that harm the import process, and will not “remain silent about the establishment of a commercial monopoly under the guise of the committee.”
He pointed out that “whoever is behind these arrangements must understand that Sudan is not a prize to be seized, the private sector is not a front for anyone, and the name of Sudanese-Saudi relations is too important to be exploited to serve private commercial interests.”
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