President Omar al-Bashir inaugurated the R8.2-billion facility at a ceremony in White Nile state, saying "Sudan will be one of the more significant sugar-exporting countries" in the Arab and African region, the official SUNA news agency said.

White Nile Sugar announced earlier that it aimed to produce 450 000 tonnes of sugar annually and 60 million litres of ethanol.

Sudan's Kenana Sugar is the largest shareholder, with a 30% stake.

The Sudanese government has a 35% share in Kenana while the Kuwait Investment Authority has 31%.

Increased exports of sugar form part of the government's plan to recoup lost revenue when South Sudan separated last July, taking with it, about 75% of oil production.