The Union of Arab Chambers and the Sudanese Employers Federation, in cooperation with Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group, are organizing a conference “Investing in Sudan in General with a Focus on Investing in Food Security” in the capital, Khartoum, with the kind patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Abdullah Hamdok, in the presence of a number of specialized ministers in the Republic of Sudan and from Arab countries, and the participation of a crowd of businessmen, investors and major companies from Arab and Foreign countries and from relevant Arab and International Organizations and Unions.

The convening of the seventh session of this conference in the Republic of Sudan comes in light of the tangible progress achieved by the new Sudan in the field of economic reform that attracts investment, from unifying the exchange rate, liberalizing product prices, formulating new investment laws and public-private partnerships in specific areas and projects as a priority, in light of a clear vision for the future in the fields of agriculture and food security, as well as in other promising sectors such as energy, infrastructure, information and communication technology, and mining.

It also comes at an appropriate time, as Sudan has actually embarked on its reintegration into the global economy after breaking its isolation for more than 27 years, as the world's investors are turning to Sudan to explore the available investment opportunities, because of its components and resources in several fields, foremost of which are the sectors of agriculture and food industries, especially after removing the obstacles that stood in the way of investment, improving macroeconomic indicators, increasing exports, and restoring the flow of remittances and foreign investments.

While agriculture in the region represents only 13% of GDP, the sector plays an important strategic role in enhancing food security, maintaining the vitality of the front economic sectors, production and services, and in providing livelihoods for about 30% of the population. But the Arab World is the largest importer of cereals in the world today and imports about 90% of its needs, and at least 50% of the food calories it consumes.

While the Arab region is one of the driest regions in the world, limiting horizontal agricultural expansion and making it largely dependent on importing goods and food products, technology opens solutions and opportunities for it to enhance food security, increase and improve agricultural sector outputs and sustain production capacity, while using less energy, and more sustainable methods.

There are priorities that should be focused on and imposed by the existing imbalances in the agricultural-food systems in the Arab World as a result of low productivity and heavy dependence on imports in light of fluctuations in global markets and weak industrialization, which accounts for only 20% of agricultural production, while 11% of production goes to waste, in addition, a third of the food amount is wasted as well.

There is no longer a choice between traditional methods and modernity. Rather, the only option today before the Arab World is to adopt sustainable farming methods and take advantage of modern technologies and smart farming techniques made possible by agricultural technology and the Fourth Industrial Revolution to deal with climatic challenges and with limited resources and the advancement of production and its efficiency in the right way.

Sudan constitutes a fertile land for sustainable investment and agricultural opportunities due to the new visions it possesses of the transitional government and the Sudanese private sector, and the huge potentials and resources of land, resources and vast areas, where the area of arable land is estimated at about 84 million hectares, while the area of exploited land is only about 20 %. Sudan also enjoys a distinguished geographic location in the middle of the Arab World and Africa and overlooking the Red Sea, which means vast areas for related logistical investments.

Conference Objectives

• Reviewing the policies, trends and the new investment environment for the New Sudan and the promising opportunities for the private sector and Arab investors in the light of the new vision of the state, and identifying requirements for developing investment legislation and removing obstacles to investment.

• Highlighting investment opportunities in agricultural and food development projects in Sudan and the role of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and technology in promoting these vital sectors and in enhancing Arab food security.

• Focusing on the role of agricultural entrepreneurship and the role of business incubators in preparing startups to enter the business world.

• Determining the requirements for transforming Arab agro-food systems to become more efficient and sustainable, and the role of the various parties in this process.

• Make way through the conference for the exchange of knowledge and experiences between businessmen, Arab and foreign experts, and Arab and international institutions concerned with investment in general and in the field of food security.

Conference Sessions

• Opening Session

• First Session: «The New Investment Environment in Sudan».

• Second Session: “Investment opportunities in agricultural and food development projects in Sudan and the role of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and its applications in enhancing Arab food security.”

• Third Session: “For healthier, more sustainable and equitable Arab diets.”

• Fourth session: “Leadership and innovation to achieve sustainable agricultural and food production – Arab and international experiences.”

Conference Participants

• Ministries and competent official authorities in the host country.

• Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in the Arab World.

• Joint Arab-Foreign Chambers.

• Arab and Foreign Businessmen and Investors.

• Concerned Agricultural, Food, Industrial, Commercial and Investment Companies.

• Banks and Financial Institutions.

• Arab, Regional and International Organizations and Federations concerned with Investment and Food Security.

 

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Date published : 26 August 2021