Egypt will build two sugar factories in Sudan after the two governments approve the mechanism to finance the project, said Egyptian Agriculture Minister Ayman Farid Abul Hadid. The construction of the two factories will help ease the recurring sugar shortages in the two countries and reduce reliance on imports, Abul Hadid told Al-Masry Al-Youm by phone Tuesday. Agricultural cooperation with Sudan will focus on addressing shortages of nutritional crops such as sugar, Abul Hadid said. Egypt produces 2 million tons of sugar and consumes 7.2 million tons, making up the difference with imports. An Agriculture Ministry delegation currently in Sudan has determined that the land Egypt will use is suitable for growing, especially for sugar crops. According Sudanese Agriculture Ministry reports, there are more than 75 million feddans of land fit for immediate agricultural investment, which could enable Egypt to meet its grain and sugar needs. Translated from the Arabic Edition
