By Mohammad Abdulaziz
KHARTOUM, Dec 8 (KUNA) -- President and CEO of the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) said Sudan is unlikely to benefit from foreign investment after lifting the economic sanctions unless it exits from the US list of State Sponsors of Terrorism.
The US administration decided early last October to ease the economically focused sanctions on Sudan but kept the country on the list of terror sponsors, Florie Liser, who leads a US trade mission to Sudan, noted in statements to KUNA on Friday.
It is true that there is no legal obstacle to dealing with Sudan but the US banks and investors are still wary of doing business in the country, so Sudan is unable to maximize benefit from the decision so far, Liser said.
The US companies, willing to invest in Sudan, could back the Sudanese government efforts to get rid of the stigma of terror sponsoring through reaching out to the US Administration and Congress members, she explained.
Liser called on the Sudanese government to continue its steps to attract the US investors to tap into promising opportunities in the East African country, which enjoys the huge resources and strategic geographical location.
The US delegation, made up of representatives of 12 companies, arrived on December 3; they aim to explore investment opportunities in such areas as energy, mining, agriculture, aviation, health and technology.
The delegation held talks with senior government officials on the prospects of relations after easing the two-decade long sanctions. (end) mmm.gb