Egyptian Ambassador in Sudan Ossama Shaltout asserted Egypt's keenness to participate and cooperate in economic development projects in Sudan.

In exclusive interview with MENA on Monday, Shaltout said the number of Egyptian investment projects that was approved by the Sudanese Investment Ministry reached 229 projects which worth 11 billion dollars.

Egyptian investments in Sudan are accumulative since 2000, the ambassador said, adding that they are distributed on various fields in which 122 projects in industrial field which worth 1372 million dollars, 90 projects in service field which worth 629 million dollars and 17 projects in agricultural field which worth 89 million dollars.

The number of Egyptian projects implemented in Sudan reaches 78 projects worth 800 million dollars in which 42 projects are in industrial field worth 505 million dollars, 29 projects in service field worth 189 million dollars and 7 projects in agricultural field worth 105 million dollars.

The largest percentage of Egyptian investments is implemented in Khartoum state in which it exceeds 70 percent of the volume of projects in all Sudanese states.

He added that Egypt and Sudan are depending on the inauguration of new crossings to contribute in increasing the volume of trade between the two countries.

He also underlined that the volume of joint investments will increase after facilitating measures of the transportation of goods and services.

Egypt discussed with Sudan the establishment of a joint free zone at the borders that will contribute in increasing the volume of trade and industry between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the ambassador stressed Egypt's keenness to surpass all obstacles hindering drugs industry in Sudan, adding that there are five companies, specialized in drugs industry in Egypt, working in various Sudanese states with investment that costs 120 million dollars.