Sudan launches major dam to boost agricultural production

Sudan launched a major dam project on Tuesday to boost power supply and agricultural irrigation, a plan officials hope will foster farmland exports and attract more Gulf investment to the African country as it battles an economic crisis.

Faced with the loss of most of its oil reserves with South Sudan's secession in 2011, Sudan plans to increase exports of agricultural goods, such as wheat, fruits, oil seeds and gum arabic. Oil was the primary source of income for the country's budget as well as dollars needed to fund imports.

A Chinese firm, paid by Gulf donors, heightened and expanded the Roseiris dam on the Blue Nile near the southeastern border with Ethiopia for an estimated $441.5 million over four years.