Sudan's efforts to promote foreign investment have led to the establishment of Suakin Free Zone and Aljaily Free Zone. The Free Zones and Free Markets Law of 1994 (http://sudaninvest.gov.sd/English/Eng_InvestLa.htm) represents the legislative framework for the establishment and operation of free zones and markets in Sudan. The regulations resultant from this law represents the organisational framework for operating and managing free zones in Sudan.

Advantages of Investing in Free Zones in Sudan

Exemption of projects from tax on profits for a period of 15 years, renewable for an extra period dependent on the decision made by the minister concerned, commencing from the one year period of grace following the year of production commencement
Salaries of expatriots working in projects within the free zones will be exempt from personal income tax
Exemption of products imported into the free zone or exported from all customs fees and taxes except service fees and any other fee imposed by the board of the Sudan Free Zones Company
Real estate established within the free zone area is exempt from all taxes and fees
Invested capital and profits are transferable from Sudan to abroad through any bank licensed to operate in the free zone
The exemption of products of industrial projects established in the free zones from customs fees, depending on materials used and local costs incurred in production, provided that the value be estimated by a committee assigned for this purpose by the board of the Sudanese Free Zones Company

Money invested in the free zones may not be frozen or confiscated. With respect to agreements binding on the government of Sudan, goods in transit while waiting to be transferred to other countries may be stored in the free zones under the supervision of the customs police available at the inlets and outlets of the free zones.

Each company has the right to rent its land and buildings according to the terms and conditions agreed on, without being bound by any other law.

The 1925 commercial companies' law which has been extensively modified throughout the past years represents the legislative framework for company operation in Sudan. This law gives equal rights to local and foreign companies. Companies in Sudan are classified into public limited, private limited, partnerships, special concession companies and companies with shared local and foreign capital. The process of registering a company in Sudan takes place at the Commercial Registrar's office by a representative of the company, a lawyer or a consultancy office.