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21:56 GMT
DOHA, Oct 16 (KUNA) -- Sudanese Presidential Advisor Mustafa Othman Ismail urged the Arab countries to participate actively in the international donor conference for the reconstruction of eastern Sudan, to be hosted by the State of Kuwait on December 1-2.
Speaking to reporters here on Saturday, Ismail said the gathering is part of the peace agreement signed by his government and the Eastern Front in Asmara, capital of Eritrea, on October 14, 2006.
"With the enforcement of almost all provisions of the peace accord notably those relating to the power-, and wealth-, sharing in the last four years, the post-conflict reconstruction of the region has entered a crucial stage," he pointed out.
The region is some 350,000 sq km, representing 12 percent of the total area of the country. It has five million people mainly Arab tribes.
"It is blessed with huge natural resources such as rich farmland, and mineral, flora and fauna resources," Ismail noted.
Dealing with the Kuwait conference, he said one of its distinctive natures is that it will a gathering of major donors and investors.
After Kuwaiti had kindly approved hosting the event, a five-party commission was tasked with arranging the development projects in the region.
"The commission, led by Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), also includes the Kuwait-based Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD), the the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP), the Islamic Development Bank and the Eastern Sudan Development Fund which stems from the peace accord.
"The commission has slated for initiation more then 177 projects in three key domains namely, service, infrastructure, and investment," the senior official revealed.
He appreciated Kuwait's support for Sudan and her sincere efforts to set the stage for the international event. (end) th.gb KUNA 170056 Oct 10NNNN