As of 2006, Norway and Sudan have embarked on a bilateral co-operation within the petroleum sector, combining the significant petroleum potential in Sudan with Norwegian expertise and experience in a joint effort to enhance the possibilities for economic growth and welfare for the whole country. The development of oil resources is vital for the development of the Sudanese economy.
25/11/2006 ::
Norway has offered consulative services to both the Government of National Unity (GoNU) and the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS), in terms of capacity building and technical advice. Norwegian involvement within the petroleum sector in Sudan seeks to enhance the principles outlined in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) from January 2005 with regards to oil resources and sharing of oil revenue.
The Norwegian Oil for Development (OfD) Initiative
Drawing on the long experience within the petroleum sector in Norway, the Norwegian Oil for Development (OfD) intiative seeks to assist both hydrocarbon producing countries and countries with hydrocarbon potential in their endeavours to benefit from national petroleum resources. Ensuring that such efforts generate economic growth and welfare to the population in general, and is environmentally sustainable, the initiative focuses on good governance, transparency and accountability.
Thematic areas
The support to Sudan, as well as to other countries involved in the OfD-programmes, is guided by three interrelated thematic areas, that all constitute integral parts of petroleum sector management: resource management, revenue management and environmental management and control. Good governance over petroleum resources is also central for the capacity building activities. This new initiative of co-operation between Norway and Sudan signifies both short-term assistance, in the form of seminars and educational training (capacity-building and advice), and long-term cooperation, in the form of policy advice and industrial development (capacity- and institutional support).
Specific objectives - Sudan
Norway is committed to assist Sudan with the development of both the oil and gas sector, and has commenced a fruitful discussion to develop a co-operation with GoNUs Ministry of Energy and Mining and GoSSs Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, with regards to capacity-building and technical advice. The Norwegian international programme for petroleum management and administration (PETRAD) is facilitating the Norwegian involvement together with the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Khartoum.
Norway seeks to contribute to a climate of trust and transparency with regards to the development of the petroleum sector. Hopefully, such endeavours will contribute positively with regards to the recently established National Petroleum Commission.
NORAMB