Sudan Challenges Persist

Economic conditions in Sudan remain challenging in the face of persistent fiscal deficits, high inflation, and economic sanctions, according to a team from the International Monetary Fund led by Daniel Kanda that visited Khartoum from September 13-September 26, AllAfrica reported. A media statement issued by the IMF explains that Kanda’s team held discussions on the 2016 Article IV Consultation with Sudan. They observe in their preliminary findings that the economic outlook in Sudan hinges on implementing bold and broad-based reforms to stabilize the economy and strengthen growth. They predict that the economic growth rate in Sudan will drop to 3.2% in 2017 and pointed out that domestic demand was negatively affected by the lifting of fuel subsidies at the end of last year. They recommend measures for the expansion of social safety nets to support the most vulnerable and reforms to improve the business environment to engender strong, broad-based growth.