US sanction measures to damage key reconstruction efforts of Sudan: analysts

The U.S. sanctions against Sudan over allegations that the Sudanese government used chemical weapons in 2024 will harm key reconstruction efforts of the war-torn country, warned analysts in Sudan on Thursday.

The sanction measures taking effect on June 6 include limits on U.S. exports and U.S. government lines of credit, according to U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.

"These sanctions, with their repercussions on the Sudanese banking and credit system, will have a negative impact on the presence of large companies involved in the reconstruction of state institutions, including infrastructure, electricity, water, schools, and hospitals," said Haitham Mohammed, a political analyst in Sudan.

However, economists said the sanctions may have limited effect because Sudan has no active U.S. exports or aid flows at the moment.

"Sanctions were imposed on U.S. exports to Sudan. But based on reports from the Central Bank of Sudan, there are no direct U.S. exports to Sudan. Therefore, this will not have any impact in the coming period. The second aspect of the sanctions is the impact on the U.S. administration's credit lines and what it pays to Sudan. Currently, the U.S. administration does not pay anything to Sudan, whether it is the U.S. administration or its organizations and institutions."

Meanwhile, U.S. accusations over chemical weapons use - its reason for imposing sanctions - are being rejected by Sudanese officials.

In Khartoum, the state minister of health said no toxic substances have been found.

"The majority of the deaths we receive here are due to malnutrition and cholera. We do not have cases of chemical weapons, as a chemical weapon kills the victim instantly. All the tests we conducted have not shown any toxicity. We have specialized laboratories," said Fath Al-Rahman Mohammed, Khartoum State Minister of Health.

Sudan has been engulfed in a brutal conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since April 2023. The war has killed tens of thousands and forced millions to flee their homes, both within Sudan and across its borders.

US sanction measures to damage key reconstruction efforts of Sudan: analysts

China's service imports and exports totaled 7.2 trillion yuan (about 1.03 trillion in U.S. dollars) from January to November this year, marking a 7.1 percent year-over-year increase, according to data released by the Department of Trade in Services of the Ministry of Commerce on Wednesday.

In the 11-month period, service exports totaled 3,198.01 billion yuan, growing 13.4 percent, while imports amounted to 4,004.36 billion, up 2.5 percent.

The services trade deficit narrowed to 806.35 billion yuan, a reduction of 279.63 billion from the same period last year.

The data shows continued growth in knowledge-intensive services, registering 2,730.57 billion yuan in total import and export, an increase of 5.6 percent from the same period last year.

Exports of knowledge-intensive services rose 8.5 percent to 1,601.47 billion yuan, while imports grew 1.7 percent to 1,129.10 billion, yielding a surplus of 472.37 billion yuan, 106.74 billion larger than a year earlier.

Travel services also grew rapidly during the 11 months, totaling 1,976.27 billion yuan in import and export, up 8.2 percent. Exports soared 51.3 percent year on year, while imports edged up 1.9 percent.

China's service imports, exports up 7.1 pct in 11 months