Representatives from Sudan's government have met with South Korean phone companies to discuss joint ventures and the possibility of introducing CDMA networks to the country. The dlegation arrived in Seoul for a week long visit on Monday.
"We came to Seoul with an objective to introduce South Korea's code division multiple access communications (CDMA) equipment and other mobile phones," Ahmed Almagzoob, told the Yonhap News Agency in an interview.
Almagzoob, who is also the chairman of Sudan's state-run communications firm, Sudatel visited handset plants of South Korean companies such as Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and Pantech & Curitel.
"We were deeply impressed by various communications equipment that they are producing and their outstanding ways of management," he said. "We hope to strengthen ties with such world-class South Korean communications companies."
No contracts were signed, but it was reported by local media that any agreements would have to include the setting up of manufacturing facilities in Sudan.
Sudan currently has two networks, Al Bashair Telecom and Sudatel - who between them have 2.3 million customers, according to The Mobile World Database. This represents a population penetration of just 5.7%.
Sudan has turned around a struggling economy with sound economic policies and infrastructure investments, but it still faces formidable economic problems, starting from its low level of per capita output. In 1999, Sudan began exporting crude oil and in the last quarter of 1999 recorded its first trade surplus, which, along with monetary policy, has stabilized the exchange rate. Increased oil production, revived light industry, and expanded export processing zones helped sustain GDP growth at 6.1% in 2003. Ongoing problems in the Darfur region also cause problems for potential investors."
Posted to the site on 29th June 2006
Posted to: www.cellular-news.com/story/18038.php