The head of the Industrial Chambers Federation, the prominent Sudanese businessman Muawiya Al -Barir, revealed that the private sector in Sudan is in heavy losses due to the war, which was estimated in the industrial sector alone at more than 50 billion dollars.
He explained – in a special interview with Al -Jazeera Net – that these losses included the destruction of factories, equipment, controls and electronic networks, as well as looting of raw materials and ready -made products.
Al -Barir indicated that the agricultural sector was not immune to these losses, as its losses were estimated at about 30 billion dollars, which included irrigation stations, machinery, generators, and crops. He added that the services and banking sector also received severe strikes, especially since most of the local product and economic wealth are focused in Khartoum.
He said that the destruction of power stations was directly reflected in the high cost of production, which makes energy alternatives expensive and unnecessary for the industrial and agricultural sectors. He stressed that the local private sector, along with foreign investors and Arab brothers, will be the main pillar of the reconstruction phase, stressing the importance of not placing obstacles in front of them.
Al -Barir added: “There are businessmen who lost everything because of the war, and some of them did not bear the shock and the difference of life, while others suffer from the inability to meet their obligations, which threatens legal crises unless realistic solutions are offered.”
On his vision of the economic future of Sudan, he said with confidence: “We are not the only country that has been destroyed, and we believe that we are able to advance again as Europe and Japan did after the war. Sudan will return better than it was, on the condition of proper planning, correcting errors, and assuming appropriate positions, especially in economic ministries.”
Below is the most prominent of what was stated in the dialogue:
What is the size of the losses suffered by the private sector and the business sector due to the war in Sudan?
The Sudanese private sector incurred losses, estimated in the industrial sector alone at about $ 50 billion. These losses are full or partial destruction of many factories, equipment damage, control devices, electronic networks, power generators, electric cables, as well as looting of raw materials and ready -made products.
The industry was also damaged as a result of the money in the market, and the presence of debts in hard currency became a burden on manufacturers.
In the agricultural sector, the losses amounted to about 30 billion dollars, including irrigation stations, machinery, generators, and crops. For example, the “Abu Naamah” irrigation station, which costs $ 40 million, was destroyed.
The services and banking sector is also greatly damaged, as most of the country’s GDP is concentrated in Khartoum.
In light of the rapid support of energy projects and electricity lack, can this represent the announcement of the death of industry in Sudan?
The destruction of power stations negatively affected the citizen, industry and agriculture, because the available alternatives to energy production is very expensive, which increases the cost of production and threatens the sustainability of industrial and agricultural activity.
What is Sudan’s chances of economic recovery if the war stops?
Sudan is able to advance again, but to return is better than it was before the war, God willing. We need to correct previous errors, proper planning, and put the right person in the right place, especially in economic ministries. We aspire to a healthy homeland, adding to its economy, exceeding conflicts, and the competition between businessmen is based on quality and added value, not to exclude.
In your opinion, who bears the bill of reconstruction, what was destroyed by the war?
The private sector, the Sudanese citizen, foreign investors, and Arab brothers will bear the reconstruction bill. Our Arab brothers, especially the Gulf states, did not stop contributing even during the war, and we are waiting for them a greater contribution in the next stage.
What is the size of the competencies and workforce that might migrate due to the war and perhaps not return? What is the impact of this on the economy?
Sudanese competencies keen on the homeland will return and sacrifice for the sake of Sudan, whatever the circumstances. As for those who have found better opportunities abroad, they will remain supportive of us through advice, experience, and transfer money to support the national economy.
Will Sudanese businessmen return after the losses they were exposed to to work in Sudan again, or will they remain in the countries to which they transferred their investments after the war?
Most of the businessmen will return to Sudan after settling their conditions abroad, but the return requires decision -makers to develop supportive policies, and not to put obstacles in front of them. Unfortunately, we were recently surprised to impose a 2% income tax on the deportation of raw materials, which was not in force before the war.
Is it true that there are Sudanese businessmen who were completely impoverished and became unable even to support their families?
Yes, there are a large number of businessmen who lost everything, and some of them did not bear the psychological shock and died, while others suffer from the inability to fulfill their obligations. If realistic solutions are not developed, we may witness major legal problems in the next stage.
Sudan-after-war-by number-of-holders-in-team-economic-what-nitas-these-meetings?
They were fruitful meetings. We met with the Minister of Finance and Agriculture, in addition to the governors of the states of Khartoum, Al -Jazeera, Sennar, and North. The Minister of Finance promised to provide limited support to the private sector, and to establish a platform for dialogue with industrialists, stressing that he does not support absolute support. As for the Minister of Agriculture, he promised to introduce improved seeds and new technologies, and we are currently waiting for this promise to implement in writing.
Sudan-even-after-end-war? ”> Despite the presence of raw resources and materials in Sudan, do you see that the foreign investor will not venture to invest in Sudan even after the end of the war?
I am very optimistic about the return of investors, especially if an attractive investment environment is created after the war. We are not the only country that was destroyed and then got up. Europe and Japan have done so, and we are also able to resolve our determination, provided that bold decisions are made for the public good.
What role can the private sector play in reviving the Sudanese economy?
The private sector is the backbone of the revitalization of the economy, especially in partnership with foreign investments and with the financing of siblings. It must be given space and freedom to restore his activity and create job opportunities.
Who among the siblings expects to be ready to participate in financing, under the current circumstances of Sudan?
Clearly: the Gulf states, which have always stood with Sudan in good and bad times, and have the capabilities, experience and the desire for effective participation.
In your opinion, what are the most prominent challenges of reconstruction, and can Sudan rise, as Germany and Japan rose after the war?
The most prominent challenges is to change the view of the private sector, considering it as an essential partner and not just a source of taxes. It is the private sector that occupies millions of Sudanese, and it must be treated as a basic product for stability and growth, not as a part for the state.
