Sudan keen for Indian investment in agriculture, gold mining

Agriculture, gold mining and petroleum are prime areas where Sudan wants India to invest in the coming years, Sudan's Ambassador to India Hassan E. El Talib said on Friday.

"India-Africa relations have been historic. Over the years, Sudan has emerged as a major producer of gold. We want India to invest more in gold mining, apart from other areas such as agriculture and infrastructure, through which India-Sudan relations can reach new heights," Hassan told media persons ahead of the Indo-Africa Forum Summit.

The third Indo-Africa Forum Summit, a platform to boost ties between India and the African continent comprising 54 nations, is scheduled to take place in New Delhi from October 26 to 29.

According to Hassan, Sudan produces 70 tonnes of gold every year.

"Agriculture is one of the biggest sectors where India already is a brand. By investing in Sudan, India can easily sustain its market. Also several technologies that India uses in agriculture are very much adaptable to the African nations," he added.

Hassan, who is also Sudan's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and Maldives, said that though Indian oil major Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has already invested in Sudan, there was a need for several other companies to invest in Sudan.

"Earlier, Sudan saw only Canadian companies investing in oil extraction... Indian companies have also begun to explore the opportunities. Though as of now only the ONGC has invested, we want more and more Indian oil companies to invest in Sudan," he said.

India is among Sudan's top trading partners for the last few years. India's 2014-15 exports to Sudan were to the tune of $882.47 million while the imports were $569.66 million.