Sudanese dinar: currency for those who love adventures

Sudan, the largest country in Africa, has a gloomy reputation among foreigners. Too many bad news from here hit the last years on television screens and newspaper strips, and too few good. A protracted war with rebels in the south of the country and the same protracted territorial dispute with Egypt in the north, assigning Sudan by the American State Department of Status "State supporting international terrorism", And to top it all – also the emergence of Ebola incurable fever in these places. Foreigners in Sudan ride without extreme need stopped. And in the mid-1980s, travelers loved this country, a famous exceptional diversity of cultures and traditions (more than 300 nationalities live in Sudan) and hospitality of local residents.

Hado say that the Sudanese authorities of the current image of their country does not suit, and something is done for his correction. Analysis of the political steps of the Government of Sudan in this direction is not included in the tasks of our heading. As for the specific area of ​​currency control, here this trend is manifested in the form of careful sent.

Quantitative restrictions on the import and removal of SD in Sudan does not exist. This, however, does not mean at all that the contents of your wallet in this country are considered exclusively your personal. Imported alien amounts are obliged to declare in the border crossing point (for most visitors from Europe is Khartoum International Airport). Refuse to the declaration of the declaration of carefully. First of all, most likely, the customs officers will wish to make sure that you do not take more solid currency with you, which brought to Sudan. And secondly, and this is the main, recovery of the declaration, if you lose it, it will be almost hopeless. The issuance of them, by local regulations, is provided only at the border. And staying on the territory of Sudan with currency, but without a document testifying to the legality of its importation, you automatically find yourself in the position of the violator of local currency control rules, which in the country with strict Sharia laws it is recommended to avoid in every way.

Foreign currency payments are allowed in the territory of Sudan in non-free shops stores (Duty Free Shop). Such are available not only at the airport, but in the Sudanese capital. For all other calculations, money should be exchanged for local currency – Sudanese Dinar. We are trying to pay dollars on the street or at the hotel: almost certainly will not take, and in the worst case you will attract the attention of the police, which in the country with strict Sharia laws. Hu, yes, we already talked about it.

Change money in departments of banks and exchange offices. Latest – phenomenon for Sudan new. The central bank of the country has recently issued a directive to open exchange offices managed by joint-stock companies and independently defining exchange rates.

Banks also enjoy this right, but usually not very deviate from the official course, which last week was 52.5 dinars for $ 1. In exchange items, courses may be more profitable for visitors. Exchange rates of large banks are published daily in the local press and communicate on the radio, however, if you do not know the Arabic language, these sources of information will be useless for you.

Branches of banks are usually working with 7.30 to 14.30, all days of the week, except Friday. Exchange items, especially those that act in large chartum hotels can close a few hours later. There are no round-the-clock points in Sudan.

Employees of banks and exchange offices, in addition to Arabic, can usually be expressing in English.

Of the variety of existing payment instruments today, Sudanese banks give preference in cash. Credit cards in this country, especially outside of Khartoum, are practically useless.

Exists in Sudan and "black" currency market. The steady Europeans on the streets of Khartoum are very noticeable, so it is very possible that sooner or later someone from the professionals of this market meets on your way. "Peck" The proposals of the unofficial changed in Sudan extremely risky. Local police strongly fighting this kind of activity, including with the help of agents-provocateurs. And in the country with strict Sharia laws to fall on violation of laws – you know. Be law-abiding and console the fact that after the introduction of a free-market mechanism for the exchange of currency and a decrease in inflation in Sudan, official and "Black" markets are different there is not so striking as a couple of years ago.