Sudan has passed its 2020 budget that includes an overall deficit of about 73 billion Sudanese pounds ($1.62 billion), Finance Minister Ibrahim Elbadawi said on Sunday. The country's ruling sovereign council and Cabinet agreed the budget - the country's first since the toppling of longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir, whose final years in power were marked by deep economic woes. The budget has expected revenues of 568.3 billion Sudanese pounds ($12.63 billion) and also includes increased spending for healthcare and education. “This is a budget of peace, it bodes for peace,” Mr. Elbadawi said. That designation has left Sudan unable to tap the International Monetary Fund and World Bank for support.

Source: The Hindu December 29, 2019 22:52 UTC