Meeting with the State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sudan With Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Bilateral meetings with Minister of Energy

On 19 April 2007 Mr. Sawanit Kongsiri, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, paid a courtesy call on Mr. Al Samani Al Wasila, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sudan, during his official visit to Sudan.

Both sides expressed their confidence in strengthening relations between the two countries.  The Thai side affirmed its close cooperation with Sudan in fishery and agriculture, especially in rice sector.  Moreover, the Sudan side stated that the infrastructures in Sudan needed to be developed, especially in road and water management, which Thai private sector could help.  Currently, EGCO company of Thailand is operating electric power plant in Sudan.

Mr. Al Wasila said that Sudan is the largest country in Africa and rich with oil and natural resources such as iron, copper, zinc and gold and would like to encourage Thai investors to do business with Sudan.  In addition, Sudan’s geographical location is suitable to be a distribution center to its neighbouring countries in Africa.

Later, Mr. Sawanit met with Mr. Mohammed Alamin Kabashi, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of Sudan. They talked about cooperation in fishery and agriculture.  On this issue, Thailand International Development Cooperation Agency (TICA) will bring experts from Thailand to explore the possibility of providing assistance in fishery and agriculture sectors to Sudan.  Furthermore, the Thai side proposed to invite  Sudanese delegation to visit Thailand to learn about rice growing and to visit the Royal Projects during the second Joint Committee meeting between the two countries in Thailand.

In the afternoon, Mr. Sawanit held a meeting with Mr. Awad Ahmed El Gaz, Minister of Energy. The Thai side sought support from the Sudanese government in facilitating Thai company in bidding for oil exploration and production in Sudan.  At the same time, the Energy Minister invited Thai businessmen and investors to invest in other natural resource-rich sectors of Sudan.