Written question asked by Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 26 March 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 31 March 2008. It was answered by Gareth Thomas (Labour) on Wednesday, 30 April 2008 on behalf of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.

Sudan: Overseas Investment

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice his Department provides for firms and financial institutions seeking guidance on the risks of investing in Sudan; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: I have been asked to reply.UK Trade and Investment provides UK companies with information and guidance on doing business and investing in Sudan via the website at www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk. The UKTI team in the British embassy in Khartoum is able to provide advice and specific guidance on request.There is currently an EU arms embargo on Sudan. Otherwise normal export control regulations apply to UK companies. The USA has imposed sanctions on Sudan, including a trade embargo, and UK companies need to be aware of this if exported goods or parts of goods are of US origin. Exemptions to US sanctions were made last year for specified regions of Sudan. The UN has imposed sanctions on a small number of Sudanese individuals (travel bans and freezing of assets).

Secondary information