Turkey is looking to expand its economic presence in Sudan by involving Turkish companies in reconstruction projects and supporting the country’s recovery, particularly in construction and infrastructure development.
Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat said on Monday that he held talks with Sudanese Minister of Industry and Trade Mohasen Ali Yaqoub in Istanbul to explore opportunities for strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 42nd Ministerial Meeting of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (COMCEC).
In a post on the social media platform NSosyal, Bolat said the discussions addressed recent developments in Sudan and the possibility of Turkish contracting companies contributing their expertise to reconstruction and economic recovery efforts during the transition toward peace and stability.
He noted that potential areas of cooperation include energy, transportation, ports, airports and other infrastructure projects, alongside efforts to encourage mutual investment and explore opportunities in Sudan’s agricultural and mining sectors.
Bolat stressed that Ankara intends to continue strengthening trade and investment relations with Khartoum through practical initiatives, including joint events bringing together business leaders and companies from both countries.
Turkey’s initiative comes as Sudan continues to grapple with the consequences of the conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, which began in April 2023 and has triggered a severe humanitarian and economic crisis, widespread displacement and extensive damage to infrastructure and public services.
The United Nations considers Sudan one of the world's largest displacement crises, while around 19.5 million people are facing acute food insecurity.
