Bangkok (SUNA) – Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Dr. Gebreil Ibrahim Mohamed stressed the importance of strengthening coordination among borrowing countries and harmonising their positions on debt and development financing issues to promote fiscal sustainability, expand access to concessional financing and enhance developing countries’ capacity to withstand economic crises. He made the remarks during Sudan’s participation in a meeting of the Borrowers’ Platform, held on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group in Bangkok. The minister emphasised the importance of using the platform to strengthen collective dialogue with international financial institutions and creditors and advance reform of the international financing system in a manner that takes into account the circumstances and development needs of developing countries, particularly those affected by conflicts and economic fragility. He explained that the war that erupted in Sudan in April 2023 had caused extensive damage to the national economy, public finances, infrastructure and essential services, heightening the need for effective international partnerships and sustainable financial resources to support economic stability, recovery and reconstruction. Ibrahim also highlighted the importance of using the platform to strengthen institutional capacity for public debt management, coordinate efforts to address the debt burden and create the necessary conditions for Sudan to complete its process under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. This, he said, would improve the country’s prospects of benefiting from debt relief and free up greater fiscal space to direct resources towards development priorities and essential services. Sudan reiterated its readiness to participate actively in the platform’s work and exchange expertise with member countries and development partners. It stressed that addressing debt challenges requires more effective international cooperation and financing mechanisms responsive to the realities of countries affected by crises, enabling them to achieve economic recovery and sustainable development.BH/BH