France concludes airlift of food for Sudanese refugees

According to the UN World Food Programme, an airlift of nearly 200 tonnes of food supplements by the French military planes has been completed. The goods were supplied to the malnourished Sudanese refugees living in camps in eastern Chad.
World Food Programme informed that 162 tonnes of priority foods, such as sugar and protein-rich Corn Soya blend, were flown from N'djamena, the capital of Chad, to Abeche, the main town in the east of the country, from where the food was distributed to nearby refugee camps.
The airlift started early August and finished last week with the dispatch of a further 36 tonnes of food from N'djamena to Goz Beida, a town 210 km south of Abeche. Heavy rain since July has made most of the dirt roads in eastern Chad impassable, demanding an airlift. 

Abu Dhabi-based travel company, Bin Omeir Travel Group (OTG) is planning to obtain 49 per cent equity in Sudan state-owned airline, Sudan Airways, according to a regional source. This is in response to a proposal by the Sudanese government in August. Talks on collaboration between the two entities, aiming to provide premier passenger and cargo services at the airport were concluded in Abu Dhabi last week. 
The representatives of the newly privatised airline and Bin Omeir Travel firm discussed the details and implementation procedure of the project. After the Sudanese government's decision to privatise the airline, both parties want to continue negotiations and reach an agreement. The Sudanese government is striving to create a new strong and competitive airline with world-class standards. 
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between both parties and the final agreement will be signed soon after 

the Sudanese government’s response on certain issues raised by the Bin Omeir travel agency. 
If concluded soon, the joint venture will be the first of its kind in Sudan. The Group plans to offer catering and cargo services in addition to developing and renovating the Khartoum International Airport. Dr Abdul Halim Al Mutaafi, Governor of Khartoum told the press that the recent developments of privatising most of the state-owned operations has encouraged many Arab tycoons and companies to consider business opportunities in Sudan. 
“The government of Sudan is galloping towards privatisation with the state selling off many poorly run enterprises. To attract foreign investment, the government has liberalised foreign exchange rules and is offering 49 per cent shares to foreign investors keeping 30 per cent for itself and 21 per cent for the national investors," he further added.