KHARTOUM, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Friends of Sudan meeting which was convened in Sudan's capital Khartoum on Wednesday is likely to tackle the country's economic and political challenges, Sudanese experts told Xinhua.
"The convocation of the Friends of Sudan meeting in Khartoum has important meanings" as "the serious funding agreements to be signed with Sudan's friends ... can help stabilize Sudan's economy," said Mohamed Al-Nayer, an associate professor of AlMughtaribeen University.
"External funding like loans and grants represent one of the means to fill in the deficit in the general budget," he added.
Kamal Ahmed Yousif, a Sudanese economic expert at Al Neelain University, agreed that the meeting could help the transitional government address the growing economic problems in Sudan.
"In my point of view, the meeting will provide support for the government and lead to improvement of Sudan's economic condition," Yousif said.
For Ahmed Khalil, a Sudanese economic analyst, the timing of the meeting is positive for Sudan's 2020 budget, as the African country counts on the meeting to provide necessary support for the first budget of the transitional government.
"The annual deficit in the balance of payments amounts to 6 billion U.S. dollars, and the meeting can guarantee the solution of this issue," he noted.
Besides, the meeting represents a good beginning of Sudan's opening to the world, Khalil said, adding the international community has expressed keenness to support Sudan to overcome its current crisis.
Sudan's transitional government said earlier that the general budget of 2020, the first after the ouster of former President Omar al-Bashir in April, mainly focuses on peace and development and stabilization of the economy.
A total of 20 projects will be presented at the Friends of Sudan meeting for financing, according to the government.
The Friends of Sudan meeting was attended by representatives of 24 countries including the United States, Britain, Germany, France and Norway as well as Arab countries.
Established in 2018, the Friends of Sudan is composed of a number of countries and international organizations that support Sudan.
On Aug. 21, Sudan started a transitional period of 39 months under a transitional government of military and civilian elements.
