Sudan
Sudan, in long form the Republic of Sudan, is a country in northeast Africa. Sudan is bordered by Libya to the northwest, Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the east- northeast, and Eritrea.
General presentation
Official name: Republic of Sudan
Type of government: Federal
Surface area: 1.88 million km2
Capital: Khartoum
Main cities: Omdurman, Port Sudan, Nyala, Wad Medani, El
Obeid
Official language(s): Arabic
National holiday: January 1
Population (2019): 42.81 million (World Bank)
Density: 23.7 inhabitants/km2 (World Bank)
Population growth (2019): +2.4% per year
Literacy rate (2017): 51% of the population over 15
Source: Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs
Economic situation
In 2018, the economy entered a recession, despite the lifting of almost all U.S. sanctions in 2017. Large imbalances, related to the loss of three-quarters of oil exports, following South Sudan’s independence in 2011 continue to weigh on the economy. In 2019, growth is expected to be negative again. Lack of integration with international trade and a weak business environment will limit private investment, while further austerity measures are expected to weigh on public investment. Inflation, which rose sharply in 2018 due to the withdrawal of subsidies and devaluations of the Sudanese pound, is expected to remain at a high level. It will continue to weigh on private consumption, which accounts for nearly 80 percent of GDP. This inflation and devaluations, combined with low confidence in the banking system, have led to a liquidity crisis. This could further hamper trade in a country where the majority of transactions are cash- based. However, the oil sector should benefit from improved relations with southern Sudan. Indeed, an agreement would allow, in 2019, the resumption of oil field production in the Heglig area, claimed by its southern neighbor. In addition, if successful, the tender for exploration of fields, which the authorities are expected to launch in 2019, could support production in the future. Sudan’s economy, the world’s largest producer of gum arabic, will continue to depend on the agricultural sector (30% of GDP). On the other hand, gold production should support the mining sector.
Source : Coface
Bilateral Relations
Bilateral investment treaties
Work in process
Double taxation agreements
Work in process
Free trade agreements
Work in process
Leading sector for Swiss companies
Work in process
Indicators
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 E | 2019 E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GDP (in billions of USD) | 3.05 | 3.06 | 3.98 | 3.01 |
| GDP per capita (USD) | 250 | 243 | 307 | 225 |
| Growth rate | 3.% | 1.4% | -2.3% | -2.3% |
| Unemployment rate | 20.6% | 19.6% | ||
| Inflation rate | 17.8% | 32.4% | 61.8% | 49.2% |
| Public debt (% of GDP) | 99.5% | 121.6% | 167.5% | 165.1% |
| Budget balance (% of GDP) | -1.6% | -1.5% | -3.5% | -3.3% |
| Current account balance (% of GDP) | -7.6% | -10.05 | -14.2 | -13.1 |
(Sources FMI, Banque Mondiale)
Main customers
China, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt
Source: IMF
Main suppliers
China, UAE, India, Malaysia
Source IMF
Swiss exports to
Work in process
Exports of …. to Switzerland
Work in process
Swiss direct investment in
Work in process
The business climate
Work in process