Oct 29, 2005 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese minister of energy and mining, Awad al-Jaz, discussed with the new Indian ambassador to Sudan aspects of cooperation in the fields of oil industry in Sudan, particularly the possibility of Indian companies investment in Block 12.

Awad Al Jaz

The Indian envoy expressed the desire of the Indian Oil minister to visit Sudan next November, pointing out that the bilateral relations would witness more development following the forthcoming visit.

Meanwhile, the Sudanese minister welcomed the Indian ambassador, wishing him good stay in Sudan, welcoming the visit of the Indian Oil minister to Sudan at any time.

Al-Jaz pointed out that the doors of investment in Sudan are open for all investors.

Since last August, the Indian Government authorized the public Oil and Natural Gas Corp ONGC Videsh (OVL) to invest an additional USD 100 million for exploration in Block 5A in southern Sudan, enabling the exploration company to get first oil in March next year.

In February this year, India’s ONGC. was awarded a contract to build a 1.2-billion-dollar oil refinery at Port Sudan

Sudan has also mandated ONGC to build a 200-million-dollar multi-product export pipeline from the Khartoum refinery to Port Sudan on the Red Sea, about 740 kilometres (460 miles) away.

ONGC already has a 25 percent stake in the Greater Nile Oil Project in Sudan and has interests in two exploration blocks.

The former Sudanese Foreign Minister during a visit to India, called upon Indian businessmen to liberally invest in Sudan in sectors such as roads, ports, sea ports, communication, oil and gas and financial services, which had been identified by the Sundanese government as priority areas for foreign investment

(ST)