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KHARTOUM, SUDAN - Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) President and Chairman Kimberly A. Reed Friday concluded a day-long economic visit in Sudan focused on rebuilding and strengthening the U.S.-Sudan relationship through economic cooperation and supporting "Exports for Employment" in both countries.

Sudan Minister of Justice Dr. Nasredeen Abdulbari and EXIM Chairman Kimberly Reed reflect on their individual U.S. law school experiences and focus on Sudan's economic future and important reforms.

Chairman Reed met with diverse leaders from the Sudanese government and private sector, including the following government officials:

• Acting Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Hiba Ahmed Ali
• Central Bank of Sudan Governor Mohammed El Fatih Zain Al Abdeen
• Minister of Labor and Social Development Lina El-Sheikh
• Minister of Justice Dr. Nasredeen Abdulbari
• Minister of Industry and Trade Medani Abbas Medani
• Acting Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation Hashim Ibn Aouf
• Acting Minister of Health Dr. Osama Ahmed Abdel-Rahim

During her visit, Chairman Reed and Sudan Acting Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Her Excellency Dr. Hiba Ahmed Ali signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote U.S. exports to Sudan.

"Sudan recently joined the Abraham Accords, and I want to thank the many Sudanese government leaders for our candid dialogue. It is imperative that the Government of Sudan enhance its creditworthiness, and, if a series of economic and governance reforms can take place, the future of Sudan will be very bright. Laying the foundation for this future is why I am here today," said EXIM Chairman Kimberly Reed. "It was an honor to sign the MOU with Finance Minister Ahmed Ali, and I want to commend her for her focus on 'Exports for Employment.' There is vast potential in Sudan for industrial growth that could be supported by transformational, sustainable, and responsible projects involving high-quality U.S. goods and services, and EXIM looks forward to supporting our mutual goals of peace and prosperity in Sudan and the region."

During a press conference, Chairman Reed presented Minister Ahmed Ali with a replica of the United States' First Lady Martha Washington's pearl dove pin. Chairman Reed noted that the pin was a declaration of Mrs. Washington's hope for the future, peace, and prosperity for the new United States of America, and Chairman Reed wished the same for Sudan.

EXIM Chairman Kimberly Reed and Sudan Acting Minister of Finance and Planning Her Excellency Dr. Hiba Ahmed Ali at a press conference following their MOU Signing Ceremony. Minister Ahmed Ali is wearing a replica of First Lady Martha Washington's dove pin presented by Chairman Reed.

Joining Chairman Reed in Sudan were National Security Council Director for the Arabian Peninsula K.C. Evans; National Security Council Senior Economic Advisor for International Negotiations Ryan Arant; EXIM Vice President for Economic Security and Operations, Program on China and Transformational Exports, Brad McKinney; EXIM White House Fellow Travis Thul; and EXIM Press Secretary Kelsey Koberg. Also joining were U.S. Embassy in Sudan Charge d'Affaires Brian Shukan, U.S. Embassy in Sudan Economic Officer Mike Pennell, and USAID Sudan Mission Director Helen Pataki.

L-R: NSC Advisor Ryan Arant, NSC Director K.C. Evans, Charge d'Affaires Brian Shukan, EXIM Chairman Kimberly Reed, Minister of Industry and Trade Medani Abbas Medani, Under Secretary of Ministry of Industry and Trade Nadir El Rayah, Ministry of Foreign Affairs First Secretary Mohamed Ahmed Hijair, EXIM WH Fellow Travis Thul

"We were pleased to support the recent EXIM Bank visit in Khartoum, which served to enhance trade and economic cooperation, foster economic opportunities, and support the export and import sectors," said Charge d'Affaires Brian Shukan. "We look forward to increased economic collaboration following the MOU signed between EXIM and the civilian-led transitional government, targeting investment across the infrastructure, energy, agriculture, health care, financial technology, mining, water treatment and sanitation, and wireless communications equipment sectors."

U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Steven T. Mnuchin also visited Khartoum earlier in week, where he signed an MOU with the Sudanese Government "to provide a bridge loan that will enable Sudan to clear its arrears to the World Bank once the agreed conditions with the Bank and under the MOU are met."

Chairman Reed's visit to Sudan concluded a three-country visit to Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. She also visited Qatar and Oman to underscore the United States' commitment to strengthening bilateral partnerships and advancing economic prosperity with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the larger MENA region.

ABOUT EXIM:

EXIM is an independent federal agency that promotes and supports American jobs by providing competitive and necessary export credit to support sales of U.S. goods and services to international buyers. A robust EXIM can level the global playing field for U.S. exporters when they compete against foreign companies that receive support from their governments. EXIM also contributes to U.S. economic growth by helping to create and sustain hundreds of thousands of jobs in exporting businesses and their supply chains across the United States. In recent years, approximately 90 percent of the total number of the agency's authorizations has directly supported small businesses. Since 1992, EXIM has generated more than $9 billion for the U.S. Treasury for repayment of U.S. debt.

For more information about EXIM, please visit www.exim.gov.