Interview: Sudanese Egyptian relations: land transport an additional impetus
16 November, 2011
The Sudanese-Egyptian relations are deeply-rooted where the two countries' peoples share historical political, social, economic and cultural bonds. Recent developments, the terra media witnessed, have added yet more emphasis to those relations. Yet the two countries remain closer to each other, not to mention the historic ties that date back to ancient history or the River Nile that serve as the lifeline for both of them. However for years the only link between the two countries remained air and river transportation. The leadership in the two countries seem to have thought it was high time this changed.
Sudanow reporter, Ms Islam Al Tahir Al Badawi, interviewed the Sudanese Ambassador to Egypt Ustaz Kamal Hassan Ali who reviewed the present and future of the Sudanese-Egyptian relations.
Here below, are excerpts from the interview
Question: Mr. Ambassador: What is the most important thing that distinguishes the Sudanese-Egyptian ties?
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Answer :"What currently distinguishes the Sudanese-Egyptian relations is that they basically observe the mutual interests of the two countries' peoples as an essential matter, unlike in the past when emotions were the main features of the bilateral ties with only little focus on mutual interests. This is evident if we consider the trade balance which is very weak compared to the two countries' historical ties. Additionally, if we consider the joint investments, we will find that they are very weak compared to the great ambitions and aspirations of the two peoples. However, and as I mentioned, the two countries have presently started real and serious steps to crystallize the bilateral ties within specific mutual interests for the benefit of the two peoples".
Question: Mr. Ambassador, since the two countries share joint borders and their peoples share many traditions and customs together with several trade, social, economic and cultural bonds, why wouldn't the concerned authorities work to link the two countries with a highway to further enhance these bonds and at the same time facilitate the movement of the two countries' peoples and commodities across the border?
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Answer:"Yes, particularly that since presently the flow of commodities and movement of people between the two countries are progressing normally, it has become important to link the two countries with highways because air transport cost has become very high and because any rise in the trade balance will face difficulties under transport barriers.
Work is currently ongoing to complete Halfa-Ashket-Qasqat highway and Dungola-Arfin road, one to the east of the Nile and one to the west, together with the cross points on the two sides of the joint border. This will be followed by the signing of the joint protocol which allows the vehicles to cross between the two countries. The first road to the east of the Nile is expected to complete before the end of this year, while the one to west of the Nile in March 2012. This will likely to make a real shift in the trade size between the two countries as these roads will greatly reduce the cost of commodity transport".
Question: Mr. Ambassador, What about the agricultural and animal cooperation between the two countries?
Answer:"Presently there are serious steps in domain of cooperation in field of agricultural and animal production with the focus on wheat cultivation, animal raising and meat production. Now a feasibility study is being conducted for a strategic project of meat production for Egypt at the White Nile State not to mention the private sector efforts which have seriously started to increase Sudan's meat exports to Egypt. All these efforts are likely to make a shift in the two countries' ties".
Question: What about the investments between the two countries?
Answer:"Regarding the investment, presently the Egyptian investors have started to express their interest to invest Sudan and the other way around. This was a result of Sudan's new investment act and the awareness of the Egyptian private sector with the investment opportunities in Sudan in addition to the new spirit in the two countries. Furthermore, currently there is a great Egyptian labor in Sudan where the Egyptian nationals perform several works in the country. We believe that the completion of the highways between the two countries together with the joint agricultural projects will further enhance the ties between the two peoples in the different fields.
Generally, we believe that the Sudanese-Egyptian relations are heading towards a better future on bases of common interests and mutual respect".
END
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