LOC22:50
19:50 GMT
By Hussein Hassan (with photos)
KASSALA, East Sudan, March 13 (KUNA) -- The start of the implementation of
the aid pledges, made during the International Donors and Investors Conference
for Eastern Sudan, drew large-scale official and public praise in Sudan.
The conference, hosted by Kuwait on December 1-2, 2010, pledged more than
USD 3.5 billion for the post-conflict economic and social rehabilitation of
Eastern Sudan.
Kuwait Ambassador to Sudan Suleiman Abdullah Al-Harbi, accompanied by a
delegation from Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) and several
Sudanese federal and local officials, concluded Sunday a three-day tour of
several projects in the region being implemented through a Kuwaiti grant
amounting to USD 50 million.
The projects include five hospitals and four schools in each of the three
eastern Sudan states of Kassala, Al-Qadarif and the Red Sea.
During the tour, Al-Harbi and his entourage were cheered by thousands of
citizens in remote areas who are in dire need of vital healthcare and
educational services and have to travel dozens of kilometers to get such
services.
Speaking to KUNA here today, governor of Kassala Mohammad Youssof Adam
said: "On behalf of the people in eastern Sudan I seize the opportunity of
this tour to express gratitude to His Highness the Kuwaiti Amir Sheikh Sabah
Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and his government and people for their constant
support to Sudan and hosting the donor conference."
"We are very happy to see Ambassador Al-Harbi and the KFAED delegation
visiting our region to translate the outcome of the conference into actions on
the ground. The projects being funded by Kuwait will mark a turning point in
the history of the region towards development and stability," Adam affirmed.
On his part, Karam-Allah Abbas, governor of Al-Qadarif, hailed the visit as
indicative of the credibility for which the State of Kuwait is known.
"Kuwait generously donated a total of USD 500 million to the rehabilitation
of eastern Sudan during the conference," Abbas noted.
Similar remarks were made by tribal headmen in the region who voiced
gratitude for Kuwait.
Abdullah Ahmad, headman of Al-Rasid tribe, said the Kuwaiti people are
known for generosity, truthfulness and integrity.
"The presence of the Kuwaiti delegation here testifies to the seriousness
of Kuwait about the implementation of her pledges during the conference and
solidarity with the Sudanese peopel," he affirmed.
"We thank our Kuwaiti brothers for the generous contributions and the
Kuwaiti delegation for traveling to our region which lies hundreds of
kilometers to the east of Khartoum," said Ohaj Ahmad, a resident from Allafa
town on the borders with Eritrea.
The delegation included engineering consultant Dr. Majed Al-Enezi,
consultant Wadhah Shehada, economic advisor Saqr Ahmad Saqr and legal advisor
Mohammad Al-Omani.
On Monday Ambassador Al-Harbi is scheduled to initial agreements on the
implementation of the Kuwaiti grant with the Sudanese Ministry of Finance as a
prelude to official signing of the documents in April. (end)
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KUNA 132250 Mar 11NNNN