Bank of Sudan increases customs rate for US Dollar

The Central Bank of Sudan carried out an increase in the customs US Dollar exchange against the Sudanese Pound by three per cent from SDG 6.4 to SDG 6.6 effective Tuesday.

In an interview with Radio Dabanga, Economist Dr Sidgi Kabello warned of the negative effects of the increased customs US Dollar exchange on the import of raw materials, improved seed, and fertiliser prices.

He said that this would lead to the rise of costs of agricultural and industrial production processes and a reduction of demand and competition.

Dr Kabello confirmed that there will be an increase in prices of all essential goods such as medicines, and predicted that the increase in customs exchange rate of US Dollar will lead to a scarcity of goods and rise of prices to even more than the cost.

The Sudanese News Agency (SUNA) reports that the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Badreldin Mahmoud, has underlined the important role played by the Customs Authority in contributing and protecting the country's production against smuggling, preventing narcotics infiltration.

The minister told a celebration marking Sudan's national day, which was organised by the Customs Authority in the presence of numerous officials, that efforts should be concerted to increase revenues and to stave off any attempts of border smuggling that hugely impacts the country's economy, calling on the authority to expand their forces and manpower in order to increase the income and avoid any smuggling while at the same time observing the smooth flow of goods and commodities.

Price hikes

In East Sudan the residents of Aroma in Kassala locality are suffering of an unprecedented rise in commodity prices at the beginning of the New Year. 

In Khartoum, a number of local bakeries have witnessed a shortage of bread. People have been seen queuing in lines to get bread until late.

The owners of bakeries have attributed the scarcity to the non-availability of flour.

A number of people have expressed outrage at what they described as a crisis that has entered its fourth day.

Bakers have demanded an increase of the flour rations so that they can cover the deficit.

As reported yesterday by Radio Dabanga, Kadugli in South Kordofan is suffering as similar flour and bread shortage.

Zain Mobile Telecommunications Company have sent text messages to customers in Sudan informing them of deducting a fee of one Pound as stamp tax on behalf of the Sudanese government.

These new government levies came only two days after the application of a new tax which raised the rate from 30 per cent to 35 per cent in the current year budget.