Sudan vows closer trade ties with South Sudan

By Benjamin Takpiny

JUBA, South Sudan (AA) - Visiting Sudanese Acting Foreign Minister Hon. Omar Gamar Al Din said Thursday that his country is ready to work with South Sudan to improve trade relations.

He said that Sudan wants to ink deals on trade and transport with South Sudan to facilitate commerce.

“We promise that between the two countries, we are going to have all the trade agreements, all the transport and other agreements that will make it easier for you to enjoy the Sudanese products and for your fellow Sudanese in the north to enjoy the products of South Sudan,” Al Din told journalists in Juba.

“The benefits that we are going to get from trade and exchange of many aspects in life are important for all of us,” he said. “After all, we always look at it as two countries which have the same people so the test is the same and we care about each other.”

Sudan and South Sudan signed a 2012 cooperation agreement that involves oil, trade and security.

The two countries will hold their first trade exhibition in Juba this week that will feature products from leading Sudanese industrial companies. South Sudan will showcase products, including sesame, sorghum and teak.

Organizer Yusuf Salah said food products from both countries will be the main products on display.

“It is about food and culture,” he said. “We will continue working on supplying goods to South Sudan after the trade fair. People in South Sudan need goods from Sudan.”

South Sudan won independence from Sudan in 2011 after decades of civil war.​​​​​​​