PUTRAJAYA: Sudan is inviting Malaysian entrepreneurs to venture into the country’s oil and gas as well as halal food and food processing sectors.

Its Foreign Minister Ali Ahmed Karti said the establishment of a Malaysian bank in Sudan would also boost investment in the African country.

“Malaysia is a very important partner of Sudan. We’re pushing for a stronger cooperation with this country,” he told the media after a bilateral meeting with his Malaysian counterpart, Anifah Aman here, today.

The Sudanese minister expressed hope that more Sudanese students could further their studies at Malaysian institutions of higher learning.

Ali Ahmed, who arrived on Monday for a four-day offical visit, called on Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak yesterday.

His visit to Malaysia reciprocated the one made by Anifah to Sudan in July last year.

In a statement issued after today’s meeting, Anifah said they discussed the possibility of holding the second Malaysia-Sudan Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) later this year.

“Both sides feel that it’s timely to convene the meeting, as the first JCM was held back in June 2002,” he said.

Anifah said the meeting today featured an overview of Malaysia-Sudan ties as well as discussions on their economic and trade relations, investment by Petronas, cooperation in education, cooperation and the halal industry, involvement in the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme as well as regional and multilateral issues of common interest.

Both delegations were pleased with the rebound in trade volume of US$94.3 million in 2011 from US$89.1 million in 2010.

Anifah said there were 2,873 students from Sudan in Malaysia, and hoped that more Sudanese would pursue their studies here.

“Malaysia has assured Sudan that it would remain a reliable friend and partner,” he added.

- Bernama