Date: November 26th, 2022 | Haggar Group

Women in Sudan have not only been impacted by the country’s current situation, but by years of conflict, war, and other socio-economic restraints, all of which contributed to their exclusion, and underrepresentation in the public and policy-making spheres. Consequently, women’s imprint in leadership positions and decision-making roles remain weak. To make policy improvements and the consequential monumental shift necessary, an evidence-based approach must be adopted, calling for the need for robust academic research.

With this in mind, Haggar Stakeholders latest Forum was held as a conference titled: ‘Women’s Leadership in Sudan: Challenges and Opportunities’ in collaboration with the Middle East Centre (MEC) at the London School of Economics and Political Sciences (LSE) and IEL International on November 26th, 2022. The conference disseminated and discussed the outcomes of the first stage of the project on the barriers and enablers of women’s leadership in Sudan, a project conducted by MEC at LSE and IEL International.

Haggar Group periodically holds stakeholders’ forums through their Corporate Sustainability and Social Impact Department. These forums tackle and put multiple matters into the spotlight - especially ones that align with the Sustainable Development Goals we have been committed to - such as environmental issues, ethical corporate practices, gender issues, and so on.  Read more about the forum summary below.

Forum Summary

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Date: June 26th, 2022 | Haggar Group

The private sector in Sudan plays a critical role in the economic development of the country as a provider of goods and services, a creator of jobs, a contributor to community development and improving people’s wellbeing and livelihoods. Thus, on June 26th, 2022, in partnership with the UNDP, a forum was held on the topic of the “Private Sector & the UN Global Compact (UNGC)”. This topic was selected as sustainability is imperative for business today, and as the UNGC provides a universal language and a global roadmap to guide all businesses - regardless of size, complexity, or location - towards achieving it.

The United Nations Global Compact provides for us the opportunity to be more conscious of the positive impact we could have on human rights, labour practices, the environment, and anti-corruption not just because it is the right thing to do, but because it is good for business too.

Being a signatory of the UNGC, and committing to its 10 principles, provides a chance for the Sudanese private sector to exercise good governance and implement best practices in these four areas, thus positively affecting the lives of our different stakeholders, doing no harm to the environment, and helping create a fairer ecosystem anchored in good governance and equitable distribution.

The forum was held to encourage joining the local network and committing to its principles, not just in word but more importantly in deed, eventually creating an ecosystem of sustainable companies contributing to the development of our beloved Sudan.

The bigger the network, the more likely we are as a community to build a sustainable and thriving environment for the private sector to flourish and in turn the country and its people to prosper.

Topics

• UNGC Sudan Local Network
  Presented by Azza Nuri,
  Corporate Social Impact & Partnerships Manager, DAL Group
• Joining UNGC & Reporting Mechanism
  Presented by Hind M.
  Abdelmoti, Corporate Sustainability & Social Impact Officer, Haggar Group
  
• Interactive Discussion: Business and Sudan Today
  Moderated by Azza Abdelsalam,
  Corporate Sustainability & Social Responsibility Manager, CTC Group

Date: March 18th, 2021 | Haggar Group

Sudan is in a new Phase of integration with the global Community and in a phase of peaceful transition of power. This articulated phase requires the improvement of the infrastructure in general and the energy sector so that Sudan can achieve economic growth and development.

Renewable energy contributes to all dimensions of sustainable development (social, economic, and environmental) but in Sudan most of the investments are directed towards the conventional energy technologies despite having great potentials in renewable energy sources.

The private sector in Sudan can play a leading role in driving the energy transition to renewable energy, hence holding a discussion with respect to the opportunities, challenges, and the possible pathways the public sector can provide to encourage and motivate the private sector to invest in renewable energy.

Topics

• An Overview on Capital Raising for Renewable Energy
  Presented by Mr. Mohamed Yousif Osman, Managing Partner, Africa Catalytic Investment Partners
• A Sustainable Business Model
  Presented by Dr. Hassan Ibrahim Mofadel (PhD), Business Development General Manager, Kenana Sugar Company
• Carbon Markets Opportunities in Sudan
  Presented by Dr. Nagla Mahgoub Jebory (PhD), Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Sudan
• Pathway for Sudan Renewable Energy: Policy Options
  Presented by Dr. Nouralla, UNDP, Sudan
• Renewable Energy Finance Options
  Presented by Mr. Yasir Saied, Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, Sudan

Date: September 3rd, 2020 | Haggar Group

Following the recent revolution and a dawn of hope for Sudan and its long awaited development, it is believed key for all citizens, governmental institutions, developmental organizations, the private sector and academia to be proactive and collaborate in moving the country forward.


While all of the above entities might be collaborating with each other in one form or another: ad hoc or irregular; it is believed that the least formalized and least regular interaction, particularly in Sudan, is between the private sector and academia.

While the interests/end objectives of each entity are quite divergent, a lot of common ones can nevertheless be identified.

These could be related to research, development of prototypes, enhancement of specific skills and competencies fit for technological and environmental needs of the country as well as provision of tailored modules aiming at covering needs of emerging markets and developmental requirements of the country.

It is thought that if proper collaboration is achieved, using research and development opportunities provided by academia as input to strategic decisions of the private sector, tangible results related to the sustainable development of the country and its economic growth could be obtained.

This forum aims at highlighting this issue amongst all those concerned, providing an opportunity for networking and taking a first step in bridging the gap between the two entities in question.

Topics

• The Research Entrepreneurship
  Presented by Tarig Ahmed Khalid, CEO, Blue Ocean Systems – UAE
• The Triple Helix
  Presented by Prof. Hasabo Abdelbagi, Sudan University of Science and Technology (UBC)
• Management Research - Practice Gap
  Presented by Islam Mohamed Mahmoud

Date: November 7, 2019 | Haggar Group

According to the World Population Review, 41% of the Sudanese population is under the age of 15, 20% is between 15 and 24 years old and 31% is between 25 and 54. This means that 61% of Sudan’s citizens are 24 years old or under. With that in mind, the forum was held to discuss the role youth play towards the development of Sudan. The challenges they face, and the opportunities towards youth-led sustainable development in Sudan.

The forum addressed the economic challenges facing youth, capacity building challenges and opportunities, youth development from the perspective of International organizations, employability challenges, and the youth-driven entrepreneurial scene and what it means to economic development in Sudan.

Topics

• Emerging Startups scene in Sudan, challenges and way forward
  Presented by Mr. Ahmed Elmurtada

• Youth Capacity Building: Challenges & Opportunities
  Presented by Dr. Hamida Ibrahim Elnuss

• Youth and the Economy : Problems and Prospects
  Presented by Ms. Mayada Abdelazim

• Youth & Employability: Challenges and Potential Solutions
  Presented by Mr. Motaz Tarig

• Sudan Economic Transformation & Development
  Presented by Mr. Awab Elmosbah

• Youth Frontier Shaping Change
  Presented by Mr. Ali Elmontasir

Date: November 7, 2019 | Haggar Group

The private sector in Sudan has been playing a critical role in the economic development of the country as a provider of goods and services, a creator of jobs as well as a contributor to community development providing quality services and enhancing people’s wellbeing as a direct and indirect impact.

The past few decades have nevertheless significantly limited its role and its various business activities are often viewed by the public as mere capitalism that is not in alignment with the country’s overall welfare nor its needed development.

Worldwide, the role of the private sector has broadened and changed from the conventional approach to a more inclusive and wide-ranging one including commitments to international compacts and pledges, public-private partnerships and private-international community ones with a strong focus on sustainable development goals.

The private sector has a lot of potential as the main driver behind economic, and consequently community, development driving the growth of Sudan.

The forum brought together people with strong knowledge on diverse topics shedding light on the role of the Private Sector in the development of the New Sudan, what the opportunities are but also the gaps and challenges and how they should be prioritized and can be overcome.

The forum was honored by the presence of HE Madani Abbas Madani, who was invited as a key driver of many of the regulatory and structural reforms that are happening in the Ministry of Trade and Industry which have a direct positive impact on the Sudanese Private Sector.

Topics

• Regulatory Issues/ Governmental Challenges Impacting Economic Growth
  presented by Dr. Elfatih Alqurashi, Executive Manager of the Sudanese Chamber of Industries Association (SCIA)
• PPP as a funding model for Sudan’s infrastructure development
  Presented by Eng. Elsadig Elhag, CEO of Alsafwa Group
• The role of the banking sector in contributing towards Sudan’s development
  presented by Mr. Yousif El Tinay, CEO of United Capital Bank (UBC)
• The C-suite and Top Management’s Commitments to International Standards and the Impact on Business
  presented by Mr. Khalid Mohamed Ali, Co-Founder and Chairperson of Impact Hub Khartoum (IHK)

Date: August 15, 2018 | Haggar Group

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes Partnerships, SDG 17, as an important catalyst for achieving sustainable growth and development. It is thus indispensable that partnerships amongst governments, donors, the United Nation Organizations, the private sector and civil society alike are created to enhance the effectiveness of their individual development efforts.

With Sudan’s transition from humanitarian to development aid, and the replacement of the donor-recipient relationships of the past by interdependent partnerships in development processes, a change in the mindset is required from all development actors. If implemented correctly, this leads to the effectiveness of development efforts exerted by all avoiding duplication and ensuring a conducive environment is availed.

Maximizing private sector contributions to development requires an effective engagement between the public and private sectors. Good public-private dialogue is recognized as a precondition for enhanced collaboration between the two actors.

The forum addressed Public Private Partnerships from a government perspective, the regulatory issues hindering PPP implementations, as well as the link between South-South cooperation and PPPs.

Date: August 28, 2017 | Haggar Group

Sustainable business, or Inclusive business, is an enterprise that has a minimal negative impact on the global or local environment, community, society or economy and that has a significant contribution to sustainable development. It explicitly integrates strategically relevant environmental, social and governance goals into the overall performance management system and supports strategic sustainability management.

The 2030 UN Sustainable Development Agenda recognizes the critical role of business in delivering on the promise of sustainable and inclusive development. The business case for sustainable development is based on the understanding that business and social values are interlinked and business efforts to improve lives and strengthen local communities can also have long term benefits.

The forum brought experts from different sectors to guide/help business leaders in developing a thorough understanding of how their activities translate into economic, environmental and social impacts in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals .

Date: July 28, 2016 | Haggar Group

The private sector was more visible and active at COP 21 than in any previous COP. CEOs from industries as far ranging as cement, transportation, energy, and consumer producers effectively participated making their own commitments to decrease their carbon footprints, adopt renewable energy and engage in sustainable resource management.

The private sector has an important role to play in climate finance. In fact, the private sector is the largest source of climate finance driven mainly by a record amount of new renewable energy investment in emerging markets.

The forum addressed issues directly linked with climate actions that needs to be taken by private sector entities. That included the role of the private sector in implementing the Paris Agreement, Integration of climate change and best environmental practices in core business activities and supply chain systems, and investment opportunities in carbon financing programs (CDM – Voluntary Market).

Date: May 8, 2016 | Haggar Group

The forum aimed to mobilize private sector resources to contribute towards achieving the developmental goals prioritized at the national strategic level, using best practices, technical and capacity building expertise of international donors.

There is no ‘one size fits all’ way of development partnership. Stakeholders need to work together to define shared objectives, mobilize resources and deliver solutions. The initiative can include different types of partnerships for different situations and objectives. Across this diversity, we strongly believe that relationships may fit into more than one category at the same or different times and can evolve. Some forms of collaboration could be:

• Project partnerships
  This can apply for a specific project with mutually agreed aims and objectives.
• Strategic partnerships
  Working together over time with sufficient alignment of goals and objectives towards achieving a long-term impact.
• Alliances
  With single organizations or networks/coalitions of groups working together towards a specific goal, even though organizational mandates and long-term purpose may be quite different.