Chinese Government provides RMB 40 million grant for Phase I of Agricultural Technology Demonstration Center Project (Linked to Record ID#85314, Umbrella #47332)

Project narrative

On 25 January 2008, Chinese Ambassador Li Chengwen and Sudan's Agriculture and Forests Minister Alaghbash signed a grant agreement for Phase 1 of the Agricultural Technology Demonstration Center Project in Al Faw (الفاو) district within Al Qadarif State. Phase I of the project was reportedly financed with an RMB 40 million grant from the Chinese Government. This project was partially financed by a Chinese Government grant signed in June 2008 (see Umbrella Record ID#47332). On 26 October, 2008, Sudanese Government officials signed a construction contract with China Shandong International Economic and Technical Cooperation Corporation. China Oil & Gas Eastern Survey and Design Research Institute (a subsidiary of CNPC) also aided in the design of the center, while Guangdong Overseas Construction Supervision Co., Ltd. aided in supervision of the project. The purpose of Phase I was to build the physical structures associated with the center. The center sits on 60 hectares and is used for improving crop yields, production demonstrations, and training of personnel. A groundbreaking ceremony took place on 11 April 2009 and the project was completed in March 2011. Then, on 16 June 2011, Chinese and Sudanese officials signed a certificate officially handing over the Agricultural Technology Demonstration Center to the Government of Sudan. Following construction, the center moved into Phase II, technical cooperation and operation, which will be followed by Phase III, sustainable development. Phase II is being funded with a separate RMB 14.6 million grant from China’s Ministry of Commerce (see Record ID#85314).