CCA High Level Dialogue with H.E. Abdalla Hamdok, Prime Minister, Republic of Sudan

Photo 1:From L to R: Florizelle Liser, CCA, H.E. Abdalla Hamdok, Republic of Sudan. Kalidou Gadio, Manatt, Phelps and Phillips, LLPPhoto 2:A cross section of delegates the dialogue with H.E. Abdalla HamdokOn December 5, 2019, CCA hosted a High-Level Dialogue with visiting Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. The luncheon included Sudan’s Ministers of Religious Affairs and Endowments, Defense, Justice, and Youth and Sports, as well as senior U.S. government officials and fifteen representatives from U.S. companies.Prime Minister Hamdok hailed Sudan’s revolution as a “new dawn” and a major world event. Sudan needs international support and, to attract businesses and is working to improve its business climate, including reforming regulations and investment codes. PM Hamdok underscored Sudan’s strategic location and opportunities in the oil, mining, infrastructure, energy, tourism, and services sectors. Agriculture was also a priority and Sudan’s recent ban on exports of agricultural raw materials was designed to promote value addition.PM Hamdok acknowledged that he inherited many challenges, as well, including an economy saddled by debt, excessive subsidies, and inadequate social safety nets. He was pleased with his reception in the United States and with the announcement that the U.S. and Sudan would exchange ambassadors for the first time in 23 years. He hoped Sudan’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism would be rescinded and that remaining U.S. sanctions would be removed.