Khartoum, May 17, 2026 (SUNA) – Khartoum State Wali Ahmed Othman Hamza underscored the importance of activating the role of the Small Industries Development Authority to support vulnerable groups, productive families, and graduates through the design of projects backed by soft financing aimed at improving living conditions and boosting production. The remarks came during his meeting on Sunday with the Authority’s Director, Ibrahim Mohi-Eddin, where he was briefed on the body’s plans and programmes for the coming phase, particularly in light of the economic and social conditions resulting from the war. The Wali noted that before the war, the Authority had played a significant role in poverty reduction and support for targeted groups, stressing the importance of training artisans and small-scale producers, enhancing their productive capacities, and allocating spaces for displaying and marketing handicrafts and Sudanese folklore products. He also called for the design of projects that would help ease citizens’ hardships and compensate producers affected by the war. For his part, the Director of the Small Industries Development Authority reviewed key proposed programmes and projects for the next phase, including providing essential household items to citizens through affordable installment schemes, alongside poultry and table egg production projects to support food security and improve livelihoods. He explained that the Authority had been subjected to systematic destruction during the war, leading to the loss of most of its assets and the looting of several projects designated for beneficiaries. However, he noted that staff had succeeded in recovering all client information and records from previous years. The Wali was also briefed on ongoing efforts to rehabilitate the Authority’s training hall designated for vocational training and technical workshops, aimed at supporting the manufacturing and installation of various productive projects and advancing social development programmes across the state.BH/BH