SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Radio Dabanga - Economist: 'Coronavirus will not affect Sudanese economy'

25/3/2020: Radio Dabanga - Economist: 'Coronavirus will not affect Sudanese economy'

 Professor Hamid Eltigani, an economist at the American University in Cairo, told Radio Dabanga that he does not expect the coronavirus pandemic to affect the Sudanese economy significantly, as the isolation of the Sudanese economy means it is not affected by global economic tremors.

 Eltigani suggests that the state may benefit from the crisis, as it may balance Sudan’s consumption and spending relative to its production and export, with the latter likely to increase. He also called for the government to obtain as much oil as possible at the current low prices.

 Eltigani further states that coronavirus will be contained in Khartoum, unless those coming from abroad travel into Sudan’s peripheral regions. Nonetheless, Eltigani notes that Sudanese expats may be unable to send assistance to their relatives in Sudan.

 Eltigani called for the creation of a national fund to support the Ministry of Health’s budget.