Introduction Key Economic Facts Risk Assessment (Provided by Coface) Sudan is a country located in Northern Africa bordering the Income Level (by per capita Lower Middle Income Country rating: E - The highest-risk political and economic . Neighboring countries include Central African GNI): situation and the most difficult business environment. Republic, , , , , , and South Level of Development: Developing Corporate default is likely. Sudan. The is GDP, PPP (current international $175.73 billion (2019) generally flat with mountains in the east $): Business rating: E - The highest possible risk in and west and annual flooding in the south GDP growth (annual %): -2.50% (2019) terms of business climate. Due to a lack of available due to the River system. The GDP per capita, PPP (current $4,122.53 (2019) financial information and an unpredictable legal system, government system is a federal republic; international $): doing business in this country is extremely difficult. the chief of state and head of government is the president. External debt stocks, total $22,264,288,832.60 (2019) Strengths Sudan has a largely traditional economy in which the (DOD, current US$): majority of the citizens rely on agriculture, and there is Manufacturing, value added (% 7.80% (2015) • Untapped agricultural (extensive arable land) and limited central planning by the of GDP): mining ( and oil) resources government. Sudan is a Current account balance (BoP, -$4.68 billion (2018) • Strategic position between the Middle East and West current US$): member of the League of Arab Africa States (Arab League) and the Inflation, consumer prices 50.99% (2019) • Easing of sanctions imposed by the United States in Common Market for Eastern (annual %): and Southern Africa Labor force, total: 12,779,579 (2020) 1997 (COMESA). Unemployment, total (% of 16.62% (2020) • Improved diplomatic relations with total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate): (ceasefire signed in 2018) Location: Northern Africa Imports of goods and services $2.74 billion (2019) • Ongoing democratic transition process, which has Capital City: (+3 GMT) (current US$): been welcomed by the international community Chief of State: Vacant Exports of goods and services $2.34 billion (2019) • Removed from the U.S. list of state sponsors of (current US$): Head of Govt.: Vacant terrorism Currency: Sudan Pound (SDG) GDP Composition % Agriculture Services Industry Manufacturing Weaknesses Major Languages:

Arabic (official), English (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, Fur

• Unsustainable external debt (USD 60 billion, Primary Religions:

Sunni Muslim, small Christian including a significant portion in arrears) minority

12 13 1 0 • Access to IMF financing denied, but a reform Calling Code: 249 program in partnership with the IMF was introduced Voltage: 230 *Although Manufacturing is included in the Industry figures, it is also separately reported because it plays a critical role in economy. in June 2020 Rankings Key Websites • Lack of investment in infrastructure Index Rank • Significant deficiencies in business environment and Main Government Page: sudan.gov.sd Corruption Perceptions Index 173 / 180 governance; endemic corruption (173rd out of 198 in Index of Economic Freedom 165 / 179 Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions International Logistics Performance Index (LPI) 121 / 160 Inward FDI Potential Index 119 / 139 Index 2019) KOF Index of Globalization 181 / 185 • Currency shortages and a considerable gap between Open Budget Index 107 / 115 the official exchange rate and the black market exchange rate • Sickly banking system and weak central bank independence • Persistent human and food insecurity • High levels of unemployment (especially among young people) and poverty U.S. Embassy

Country Memo Provided by: globalEDGE.msu.edu and EXPORT.GOV Sudan

U.S. Embassy Khartoum P.O. Box 699 Kilo 10, Soba Khartoum, Sudan Phone: (249)(187)-0-(22000) https://sd.usembassy.gov

Country Memo Provided by: globalEDGE.msu.edu and EXPORT.GOV