São Paulo – Sudan wants broader bilateral cooperation with Brazil, especially in agriculture, according to Sudan News Agency (Suna), the African country’s official outlet. The theme was discussed last week at a meeting between the Sudanese minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid, and the Brazilian ambassador in Khartoum, José Mauro Couto.
According to Suna, the minister said the two countries can partner up in a bevy of areas, and highlighted the level of excellence Brazil has attained in agricultural research and technology transfer.
The agency also quoted the Brazilian diplomat as saying the country is ready to strengthen and expand upon the bilateral partnership.
Brazil and Sudan have been doing business in agriculture for a few years now, especially in grain and ethanol farming and irrigation.
According to data from the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, Brazil exported US$ 15.4 million worth of products to Sudan from January to November 2014. The sum is down 71% from US$ 53.2 million in the comparable period of 2013.
The main products shipped this year were tractors, agricultural machinery and equipment, poultry, precious or semiprecious stones, pharmaceuticals and bulldozers.
Conversely, Brazil imported US$ 388,000 in goods, up 58% from January through November 2013. The main items sold were medicinal plants, gum arabic and others.
In a bid to fuel business between the two countries, the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce is attending the Khartoum International Fair, due from January 21st to 28th in the Sudanese capital. The Chamber’s participation is a partnership with the Brazilian Ministry of External Affairs.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
