By William Madouk
Failure of Micro, Small and Medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) is attribute to neglect by banking and microfinance institutions to provide credit scheme.
Minister of Trade and Industry, Amb. Joseph Moun shared this observation during one-day seminar, on Thursday.
The seminar brainstormed on giving small scale business enterprises access to finance, food safety and quality.
Government and International Trade Centre (ITC), co-organized the event to find out why MSMEs sector is lagging behind, in the country.
According to the minister, the seminar provides crucial platform for policy discussion, experience sharing and strategic planning among key stake holders including the Bank of South Sudan, other banks and financial institutions.
“The insight will be instrumental in shaping policies but support MSMEs and drive economic growth in South Sudan,” Amb. Moun said.
He highlighted that commercial banks and microfinance institutions were to provide loans to help businesses secure setup and working capital.
“They manage deposits to fund business activities, including facilitating cash flow through banking transactions,” he added.
The minister hinted that commercial banks and microfinance institutions are also to manage foreign exchange to support international trade.
“The fifth role is to promote business development by bridging financial gaps between investors and borrowers,” minister said.
Amb. Moun lashes at financial institutions in the country for primarily concentrating on handling foreign exchange rather than offering crucial financial services to business owners.
“Despite the presence of several connections done in South Sudan, most of them focus on foreign exchange operations rather than providing essential financial services to MSMEs,” he lamented.
He rued of credit access for business owners in South Sudan, adding that MSMEs are primary source of job creation for youth and women, as well as boosting the country’s economy.
“The ministry of trade and industry in collaboration with financial institutions must work toward creating innovative financing mechanism that support MSMEs enterprises,”
“The government firmly believes that stronger financial support system for the MSMEs will accelerate private sector development, promote economic empowerment and improve the livelihood of youth and women,” the minister anticipated.
Amb. Moun also asserted that food safety and quality compliance, is essential for getting consumers trust and enhancing market access for MSMEs through adhering to safety regulations.
“Businesses can ensure that their products meet international quality standards, allowing them to expand into both domestic and export markets,” he advised.
Meanwhile, ITC country manage for South Sudan, Mr. Aklile M Habtemariam cited that they have closed USD 5.72 million project dubbed ‘South Sudan Jobs Creation and Trade Development Project’
“More than 3,000 farmers and traders have benefited. The benefits, I mean, in terms of getting knowledge, in terms of getting agricultural inputs, in terms of being, for example, a trainer of trainers,” Aklile said.
Akile explained that ITC reached out to more than 1,200 youths and trained them in business management and entrepreneurship skills.
The European Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF) provided funding for the four-and-a-half-year initiative, which was implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC).
From his part, program Officer Food security / Rural Development – EUD South Sudan, Victoria Longato said “Developing a stronger and sustainable food and vegetable value chain is not only key to food security but also to job creation and economic diversification.”
She reaffirmed the European Union remains firmly committed in supporting sustainable economic development in South Sudan.