Sudan’s Petroleum Minister Awad Ahmed el-Gaz has celebrated a growing partnership with China, as Chinese companies begin to expand investments in local resources. El-Gaz claimed his Ministry would continue to increase Sudanese oil production in 2013, following a 75-percent slide in output as a result of the secession fromSouth Sudan. Foreign investors were looking to kickstart new exploration projects across the country, he added. One Chinese company has revealed its intention to develop oil investments in Sudan, during a trade delegation aimed at deepening ties between the two countries. Abubakr Mohamed, member of the Sudanese parliament’s economic committee, also praised Sudan’s burgeoning relationships with Chinese, Malaysian and Indian companies.