Atbara, Jan. 26, 2026 (SUNA) – The Wali of Nile River State, Dr. Mohamed Al-Badawi Abdelmajid, inaugurated the “Made in Nile River” Forum on Monday evening at the Atbara Inland Port, held under the slogan “Industry: Engine of Sustainable Development.” The event saw wide participation from major national companies, including exhibition halls, discounted sales fairs, and heritage displays. It was attended by the Wali of Central Darfur, Mustafa Tambour, the Federal Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Secretary-General of the National Investment Authority, and representatives from the governments of Eastern and Southern Darfur.Dr. Al-Badawi and visiting officials toured the exhibitions and pavilions, receiving briefings from company and factory representatives. A documentary was also screened, showcasing the history, current status, resources, and future vision of Nile River State’s industrial sector.In his opening speech, the Wali emphasized that the main focus of the forum is the “Made in Nile River” exhibition, which aims to showcase the state’s economic renaissance, highlight national products, and inform investors about the significant developments introduced by local factories.He announced that the number of operating factories in the state exceeds 320, distributed across the state’s localities to promote balanced development. He noted that true industrial development relies primarily on scientific methods, strategic planning, and realistic analysis of challenges and opportunities.The Wali explained that the forum’s sessions will be accompanied by a workshop addressing six specialized working papers in the industrial field, stressing their commitment to study the workshop outcomes and transform its recommendations into plans and programs to support the industrial sector. He also highlighted the state’s experience in light, medium, and heavy manufacturing, adding that Nile River State plans to introduce fertilizer production in the next phase.He enumerated the preferential and operational advantages offered to investors, emphasizing that these incentives have been crucial in attracting companies and factories to operate in the state.Meanwhile, Federal Undersecretary of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Awad Salam Musa, praised the state’s approach to industrial diversification and geographic distribution across localities, noting that this aligns with the federal ministry’s strategy of distributing national industries across several states, utilizing each state’s resources and avoiding the previous concentration of factories in the capital.BH/BH