‘40 per cent of gum Arabic’ smuggled out of Sudan into Egypt and Chad

Agencies

Sudan’s Economic Alliance Forces state that 40 per cent of Gum Arabic production is being smuggled through Egypt and Chad, with only $139 million of total exports in the past year coming through official channels.

In a press conference held by the economic alliance yesterday, Dr Hussam El Din Hassan highlighted that approximately “200 trucks loaded with livestock are smuggled to Egypt each week”. He added that the “trucks can carry up to 30 heads of livestock each” and that the purchases are being made in local currency. This illicit trade generated revenues equivalent to at least two per cent of Sudan’s total exports last year.

Sudan has experienced a significant decline in cotton exports due to poor productivity and production, with cotton exports worth $383.8 million in the past year, constituting only nine per cent of the nation’s exports. In contrast, sesame exports generated $488 million last year, accounting for 11 per cent of Sudan’s total exports.

Hassan underlined the urgency of establishing public shareholding companies to support the agricultural and animal sectors, as well as establishing a Stock Exchange, National Bank for Import and Export, and Cooperative Development Bank.

He has also called on the government to regain control of four public shareholding companies, namely the General Corporation for Cotton, the Gum Arabic Company, the Oil Seeds Company, and the Livestock and Meat Trade Company, which would promote productivity, product development, and the implementation of Ministry of Commerce regulations.