1. Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea Lee Seong-ho paid courtesy calls on Prime Minister H.E. Abdallah Hamdok and Foreign Minister Dr. Mariam Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi in Khartoum, Sudan, on June 28. He also held the 8^th Korea-Sudan Policy Consultation Meeting with Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mohammed Sharif Abdulla.

ㅇ This visit is the first high-level exchange between Korea and Sudan after the establishment of the Sudanese transitional government, and the first visit of a Korean high-level official to an African country this year.

2. In the courtesy call on Prime Minister Hamdok, Deputy Minister Lee welcomed the removal of Sudan from the U.S. List of State Sponsors of Terrorism last year and the beginning of the debt relief process this year. He also praised the efforts of the transitional government to achieve democratic peace and to overcome economic difficulties.

ㅇ Prime Minister Hamdok said that Korea’s development experience can be a good example for Sudan in its transition, and requested that the Korean government continue to support the efforts of the transitional government to realize democracy and prosperity in Sudan.

3. In the courtesy call on Foreign Minister Al-Mahdi, Deputy Minister Lee delivered his hope for increasing high-level exchanges between the two countries, and requested Sudan’s active participation and cooperation for the 5^th Korea-Africa Forum, which is planned to be held in December this year.

ㅇ Foreign Minister Al-Mahdi appreciated the Korean delegation’s visit to Sudan as well as the holding of the Policy Consultation Meeting and the Business Partnership Forum in Sudan. She also expressed hope that the two sides will continue to increase cooperation in various areas including high-level exchanges.

4. At the 8^th Korea-Sudan Policy Consultation Meeting, Deputy Minister Lee exchanged opinions with Undersecretary Abdulla on how to enhance cooperation between the two countries in a range of areas, including political and economic affairs and development cooperation, as well as cooperation in the international fora. The two sides also discussed regional issues.

ㅇ Deputy Minister Lee praised the leadership of Sudan’s transitional government in recent political and economic changes. He also expressed hope that the two countries would expand high-level exchanges on such occasions as the 5^th Korea-Africa Forum.

 ㅇ Undersecretary Abdulla appreciated the Korean government’s support for Sudan’s political and economic reform as well as response to COVID-19, which was committed during the Sudan Partnership Conference last year. He also highlighted that Korea is an ideal partner to share experience for the transitional government to implement institutional and economic reforms.

ㅇ Sudan, stressing positive changes in its business environment, called for the attention of the Korean government and companies to various investment opportunities in Sudan. Korea requested the Sudanese government’s efforts for prompt conclusion of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and the Investment Protection Agreement in order to facilitate trade and investment exchanges.

ㅇ The two sides agreed to work together for development cooperation, focused on health, vocational training, and peace building, to continue to contribute to sustainable development of Sudan as well as friendly relations between the two countries.

5. After the meeting, Deputy Minister Lee had a working dinner with Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Dr. Al-Hadi Mohamed Ibrahim, and discussed ways for Korean companies to make inroads in Sudan.

ㅇ Deputy Minister Lee and Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Ibrahim will participate in the Korea-Sudan Business Partnership Forum, which will be held in Khartoum on June 29.