By Yiep Joseph
The newly appointed Minister of Trade and Industry Atong Kuol has vowed to strengthen the country’s ability to export products to the world.
Atong who replaced Joseph Mum Majak expressed her commitment during a welcoming ceremony held at the Ministry’s premises in Juba.
The Minister displayed hope adding that with support from the energetic and well-informed staff at the Ministry, plans to increase exports would be achieved.
“If we have not been exporting or have been exporting less, we will need to consider what we must do to ensure that domestic produces must be competitive in the regional and international market,” Atong said.
She added that in order to achieve the plan to increase exports it requires policies aimed at boosting the exports.
“I am aware that the Ministry of Trade and Industry is responsible for the facilitation of regional and international trade by ensuring that the country’s exports have access to foreign markets,” she said.
The Minister vowed to ensure the development of the local industries adding that such industries help boost the exports of the country.
“It will be my top priority to ensure that South Sudanese are empowered to take charge of both small and medium businesses to create jobs for youth, and empower women entrepreneurs in order for us to control our economy,” she said.
The Minister reiterated that most foreign investors become a threat to the local businesses adding that her administration would stand firm to ensure that local businesses are protected.
“We need to focus on policies that protect small-scale local businesses from any danger,” she said.
Atong vowed to ensure that consumers are protected from being exploited by the traders.
“I am aware that the market is uncontrolled but things will not remain the same like that we will put in place measures to protect consumers from unfair trade practices” she said
she called on the relevant institutions to cooperate with the Ministry to ensure designed policies are implemented.
In 2023 South Sudan launched the National Export and Investment strategy.
The Nation Export and Investment Strategy aimed to seize South Sudan’s economic potential and harness opportunities offered by the East African Community and the African Free Trade Area
The Government launched the five-year National Export and Investment Strategy in Juba, with the vision of “A sustainable, productive and diversified economy for inclusive development and prosperity in South Sudan.”
By initiating vital policy reforms and infrastructure initiatives, the Strategy will support investment in productive capacities and domestic and cross-border trade.
The strategy is dedicated to fostering private-sector-led growth, ensuring transparency, and upholding trade policy consistency, Prioritize integration into the East African Community (EAC) and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Bolstering local production, curbing imports, and stabilizing inflation for economic resilience among others.