Khartoum, March 16 (SUNA) - The Secretary General of Gum Arabic Council, Abdul-Majid Abdul-Gadir Abdul-Majid, has announced increase of Sudan's productivity of gum arabic to 49,000 tons, which accounts to 80% of the combined gum arabic exports of all Arab and
African countries, with an estimated return of 75 million US dollars
e said in a statement to SUNA Tuesday that among the Council's objectives, are the support to the producers and protection of the Gum Arabic Belt from fire, besides opening new markets for the promotion of the gum arabic in addition to the development of research in this area
He referred to the real achievements made by the council, including establishment of micro-finance bourse with a capital of 50 billion Sudanese pounds, with the participation of more than 16 local banks in coordination with the National Insurance Agency and funding the exports to finance factories, exporting gum Arabic, besides setting up the international exchange (bourses) of gum arabic and to link sub-markets with the international bourses with Khartoum market Stock Exchange
Mr. Abdul-Majid Abdul-Gadir explained that the Council agreed with the Bank of Savings and Social Development to provide funding for smaller segments of producers of Gum Arabic in States with the guarantee of the Producers' associations
The Secretary General of the Council of Gum Arabic enumerated the challenges facing the Council, including the climate, drought and locust infestations in addition to the problem of lack of funding for small-scale producers due to lack of guarantees, and instability and tribal conflict
He said that the Council has prospective plans establish a special project for the housing and stability of producers in cooperation with the National Fund for Housing and Reconstruction, as well as the introduction of gum Arabic in the manufacturing of sweets and local food, in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry and the Federation of Industries Sudan. MF/MO