Visit of Sudan Delegation

New Delhi, 15 July 2004

Receiving the visiting Minister of Physical Planning and Public Utilities, Red Sea State, Sudan, Mr Mohamd AI-Ameen Kabashi Issa, the Minister of State (IC) for Urban Employment and Poverty Alleviation, Kumari Selja said that there exists a huge potential for transfer of cost-effective, echo-friendly and disaster-resistant construction technologies and building materials promoted by the Building Materials & Technology Promotion Council India, for construction of low cost houses in rural and urban areas in Sudan. The first step in this direction will also pave the way for transfer of these Indian technologies and materials to other African countries.

The visiting delegation had a detailed discussion with the Minister Kum Selja, the Secretary Mrs Chitra Chopra and DG BMTPC Shri D B N Rao, on various issues of India extending technical and technological support in the rehabilitation of Sudan. At the end, the visiting Minister extended an invitation for an indian delegation under the Chairmanship of the Hon'ble Minister to Sudan

UNIDO has initiated a project for Sudan, in cooperation with BMTPC, which envisages establishment of three Technology Demonstration and Diffusion Centres for cost-effective, environment-friendly and energy-efficient building materipls based on local resources in Kassala, Port Sudan and Kathartoum.

The project will also provide training to local artisans, foremen and technicians in production of low cost building materials and components and to develop linkages between local engineering and R&D institutions and the Demonstration Centres to examine, test and certify quality of materials and components produced in the Centre.

The visiting Minister, after discussion with BMTPC, and UNIDO- ICAMT, assured full support for implementation of the excellent initiative for promoting South-South cooperation. The delegation will also visit BMTPC's Technology-cum-Demonstration Centre at Greater Noida and other partner institutions in Bangalore.