Sudan says claims it sponsors terrorism are hurting its economy. The Finance Ministry says it can't find funding for strategic projects - even though the United States lifted sanctions in October.

The US' lifting of sanctions was expected to revive Sudan's economy. But this has not been the case. The country is still battling high inflation, a lack of funding and budget deficits.

MOHAMMED AL-NAIR ECONOMIC ANALYST "Despite the lifting of the US sanctions on Sudan fully in October 2017. The step is still considered impractical and it has been not implemented on the ground. The Sudanese economy still faces significant challenges, including its existence on the US' state sponsors of terrorism list which make many countries of the world do not deal with it for fear of being classified in this list."

Sudan was listed as a state sponsor of terrorism back in 1993. The US government has said it would consider removing Sudan from its list, but this yet to happen.

MOHAMMED AL-NAIR ECONOMIC ANALYST "Sudan has not yet recovered from the negative effects of the secession of South Sudan as well as the increase in Sudan's external debt amounted to $50 billion as well as that lifting of US embargo on the country impractical and it has been not implemented on the ground."

The US says it's determined to improve ties with Sudan. However, it's urging Sudan to make substantial progress on counter-terrorism cooperation and human rights.