Mixed Signs for Sudan's Economy

The latest developments in #Sudan's economy show negative and positive signs. The IMF has predicted a negative growth forecast, but US diplomats have taken symbolic steps to show that Sudan is open for foreign investment.

According to the IMF's World Economic Outlook report: Sudan's economic growth is expected to fall in 2019 to -2.6%, before relatively improving in 2020 to -1.4%. Meanwhile, Inflation is expected to fall to 50.4% in 2019, but expected to rise to 62.1% in 2020. (15 October, Sudan Tribune).

However, in a symbolic measure, four US diplomats opened accounts at a Sudanese bank for the first time in decades.

"We lifted economic sanctions in 2017 and we want to show that Sudan is open for business, that banks, international banks and businesses are welcome back here," Ellen Thorburn, deputy chief of mission at the US embassy in Khartoum told AFP (16 October).