Jeddah, KSA, 08.01.2013 – President of Sudan HE Omar Hassan Al Bashir last week presided over the opening ceremony of the Roseires Dam heightening project, 550 kilometers southeast of the capital Khartoum. Present at the occasion, which coincided with the celebrations marking the 57th independence anniversary of Sudan, were President of Somalia HE Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Sudanese cabinet ministers and President of the Islamic Development Bank Group, Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali.
In his speech, the IDB Group President underlined the economic and development significance of the project to which IDB has contributed US$ 137.7 million through 5 operations . Thanks to the project, the Roseires Dam, which was built in 1966, now stands 78 meters, 10 meters higher than its original height. This has practically increased its hydroelectric production capacity by 50% to generate 1800 Mega Watts of electricity. The renovated dam is expected to further contribute to bringing
development to the Blue Nile region by providing new income opportunities for the residents including fish farming and encouraging investment for exploiting the existing opportunities. More than a million acres of extra farmlands in the fields below the dam in eastern and central parts of Sudan will now receive gravity irrigation, a major step in meeting the demand for water supply in the country’s national farming projects.
Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali mentioned that the IDB Group had so far contributed US$ 1.2 billion to vital sectors in Sudan such as agriculture, water supply, energy and education as well as US$ 1.1 billion towards investment and export credit insurance. It has also extended more than US$ 400 million for trade and private sector financing. In the coming years, IDB’s support to Sudan, as agreed in the soon to-be-finalized “Member Country Partnership Strategy”, will seek to promote sustainable development
through diversification of the production and multiplication of the sources of income.
The IDB President further underlined that the Islamic Development Bank Group is strengthening its assistance to its member countries as shown by cumulative approved financings of nearly US$ 87 billion since inception. At the same time, over the last several years, IDB has been able to maintain its AAA rating from the leading rating agencies in the world.