The 2nd Sudan Economic Foum
“The organizing committee of the 2nd Sudan Economic Forum would like to inform you that due to the pressing demand from some major investment Groups who would like to attend the Forum; it has been decided to postpone the Forum to the second half of May 2008 instead of 17-18 March 2008.
We regret the inconvenience that this delay may have caused, and we will keep you updated with the final date as soon as possible. “
Under the patronage of President H.E. Omar Hassan Al Bachir, The 2nd Sudan Economic Forum will be held in May 2008 in Friendship Hall, Khartoum.
The forum will focus on investment and business opportunities in Sudan in light of the new incentives introduced by the government to encourage foreign investment, and the creation of the Higher Council for Investment which is supervised and presided over by the President.
Sudan's economy is one of the fastest growing in the world and has attracted increasing direct investments from the Arab countries and the rest of the world. According to recent data, in fact, Sudan has ranked second among Arab countries in attracting capital inflows, which have come mainly from the Gulf countries and have targeted many sectors and activities, including primarily the banking, real estate, tourism and services sectors.
Attendance at the forum will include government officials and policy makers, business leaders, bankers, investors and financiers from Sudan, the other Arab countries and the rest of the world, as well as Arab and international aid and development organizations, and representatives of foreign companies operating in Sudan and the region.
The Forum is organized by Sudan Ministry of Finance and National Economy and Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group, and strategic partnership with Aref Investment Group.
In 2002, Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group organized the 1st Sudan Economic Forum, also under the patronage of President Omar Hassan al Bashir who inaugurated the forum with a landmark speech in the presence of more than 1300 Sudanese, Arab and foreign participants and speakers.
Venue:
The Forum will be held at the Friendship Hall, Khartoum.
The Opening ceremony will be held at 9:00 a.m. on 17 March 2007.
Shuttle bus services will be provided from the various hotels accredited by Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal to the venue. For security reasons, participants must wear the badges that they receive upon registration.
Registration:
Badges will be available on the 16th of March, (Time will be specified later)
All participants need to register to receive their badges on site prior to attending the Forum.
Travel Documents and Visa
Please ensure that your travel documents required to proceed to enter Sudan are in order as early as possible.
Should you need any visa to enter Sudan, please make the necessary arrangements with the Sudanese embassy, consulate or representation in your country. If there is no Sudanese consulate or representation in your country or if you need assistance in obtaining a visa, please contact Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group (See "Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Contact List" below).
Transportation
Shuttle bus services from the various hotels accredited by the organizers to the Friendship Hall will be provided to all participants. The schedule of shuttle buses during the 2-day Forum will be provided to you upon your arrival.
Accommodations:
For your convenience, Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal will assist you in hotel arrangements. If you need our assistance please send us the hotel registration form that you receive from the operation department.
For all participants, please send us your travel details, including dates, times and flight numbers of your arrival and departure by March 10th, 2008. This information is necessary to finalize and reconfirm your hotel reservation and to arrange your airport pick up.
Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Contact List
Please address your queries to:
Ms. Rana Kassem
Project Coordinator
Administration
Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal
Email: rana.kassem@iktissad.com
Tel: +961 1 780200 ext: 306
Fax: +961 1 780206
Country Information:
Republic of Sudan
General Information:
Capital: Khartoum, other major cities are Juba and Omdurman and Port Sudan
Area: total land 2,505,810 Km²
Population: 40,187,486 (2007)
Languages: The official language is Arabic but over 100 other languages are spoken. English is spoken in business and government circles.
Currency: The local currency is the Sudanese dinar (SDD)
Exchange rates: 1 USD = 2.05505 SDG
Airports: Khartoum International Airport, Bangola Airport, Juba Airport, Kassala Airport, Nyala Airport
Overview:
Sudan, the largest country in Africa, is an independent republic, located in Northern Africa bordering the Red Sea, between Egypt and Eritrea. It covers an area slightly less than one-quarter the size of the US. The climate is tropical in the south with an arid desert in the north. The rainy season lasts from April to October. The terrain is generally a flat plain with mountains in the east and west.
The international time zone for Sudan is GMT +2 and the international dialling code is +249. The international airport at Khartoum is served by 16 airlines, most of them Middle Eastern. Sudan Airways operates both internationally and domestically. Sudan has extensive transport facilities that are, however, inadequate due to the size of the country. All visitors, except nationals of Egypt and Tanzania, require visas in order to visit Sudan.