Sudan signs deal with China for research nuclear reactor 

(MENAFN - Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) The Sudanese government said it had signed an agreement with China to construct a research nuclear reactor, sanctioned by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The reactor will also encourage the use of nuclear energy, Sudan's Minister of Science and Communications Eissa Mohamed told local press. Feasibility studies for the project had started at the beginning of 2010.

Recently, an IAEA team of experts had visited Sudan to provide their views and expertise on how to best make use of the reactor, train an able workforce able to handle the technology - through producing radioisotopes in the fields of medicine and the industry - and providing isotopic analyses by neutron activation for, among other things, mining and environmental research.

Plans are also underway for a nuclear power plant that is expected to be completed by 2020 in cooperation with the IAEA, according to Sudanese officials.