![President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and President of Sudan Omar Al-Bashir (R) gesture during a joint press conference following their inter-delegation meeting in Khartoum, Sudan on 24 December, 2017 [Binnur Ege Gürün/Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/20171224_2_27700947_29177147.jpg?fit=1081%2C800&ssl=1)
Sudan’s Ministry of Finance has signed a deal with the Turkish company, Summa, to build the new Khartoum international airport at an estimated cost of $1.15 billion.
According to Quds Press, Summa pledged to finish the first phase of the project worth $800 within 30 months.
Sudan’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Othman al-Rekabi, signed the agreement on behalf of his government along with Summa’s chairman, Salim Bora.
The Sudanese newspaper Al-Shoroq quoted Al-Rekabi as saying the “agreement represents a new launch in the field of private sector infrastructure investments in the country and this is in keeping with the country’s policy aimed at affordable investment opportunities for local and foreign investors.”
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According to Al-Rekabi, “the ultimate aim of this agreement is the constriction of a modern international Sudanese airport that reflects an admirable image of the country, which enjoys a strategic geographical location as it interconnects Asia, African and Europe.”
He added: “The direct involvement of the Turkish firm in infrastructure projects will encourage several international firms to invest in similar projects in the country.”
Meanwhile, Turkey’s Deputy Economics Minister, Al-Fateh Matin, said that Summa has succeeded in major construction projects in 15 countries, including 11 in Africa.