By Bida Elly David
The government of South Sudan and Uganda have reached into consensus declaring free movement of goods and services without charges noting that the sisterly countries remain committed in furthering bilateral ties.
This development came following a meeting between the ministers of foreign affairs of the two Countries on the account of strengthening their economic and trade binds.
The acting minister of foreign affairs Deng Dau said their meeting with Uganda officials resolved immediate measures of improving road infrastructure as a major element for free mobility of goods, passengers and services to the citizens of the two countries.
He noted that good roads and security are the key elements to boost trade between countries thus raising the level of economic growth to fight food insecurity.
“We have discussed issues of trade, infrastructure and free movement of goods and services between two nations and agreed to put the above-mentioned elements in place to ease trade,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Ugandan state minister of Foreign Affairs, Henry Oryem Okello said Uganda is always ready to trade with South Sudan being sisterly Countries noting that they will continue supporting the young nation to achieve sustainable peace.
In a separate development, government of South Sudan is beginning to have hope of economic recovery after the World Bank and other neighboring countries demonstrated will to pull the Country out of the hyperinflation pool.
In a recent meeting held between President Kiir and a World Bank delegation led by Victoria Kwakwa, the vice president for Eastern and Southern Africa Region, the meeting deliberated on the economic challenges South Sudan is facing as a result of natural and man-made disasters.
Speaking during the meeting, Victoria reiterated World Bank’s concerns over the terrible economic situation that South Sudan is undergoing especially coupled with the floods and political crisis that caused starvation, displacement and variety of health conditions as well as impeding production and developmental activities.
She asserted that World Bank is committed to funding projects and other crucial programs to support South Sudan address its full ailing economy.
Victoria however called on the peace parties to pardon one another and work towards saving the Country from the bondage of downfall to development for the sake of the common citizens.
She underscored that World Bank has a bigger role to ensure that South Sudan is transformed from the state of economic and development dilemma into a Country of progress, peace, unity and love.
Victoria further added that South Sudan is a Country that has naturally been gifted with enormous resources to achieve rapid economic growth and development for all the people noting that the International Finance Corporation (IFC) a member of World Bank will facilitate private investment to help the country achieve peace dividends.
Meanwhile, national minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dier Tong Ngor noted that World Bank has been funding the nation with various projects in the fields of agriculture, energy, infrastructure as well as Economic empowerment programs for women saying that their continuous support to South Sudan will rescue the Country from economic downfall.
Dier assured the World Bank of South Sudan government’s commitment to implementation of the peace Roadmap, adding that it will continue building strong partnership with them in different areas.
Recently, the World Bank in collaboration with the government of South Sudan launched a report on water security and fragility meant to improve access to water supply and its management as well as find ways to fight passive climatic change in regards to flooding and draughts.
The World Bank in its report stressed that a lot needs to be done in South Sudan to ensure that water is stored and maintained to sustain the citizens’ livelihoods.
