By Bida Elly David
South Sudan and Chinese company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), on Wednesday, for the construction of Nimule dry port.
According to President’s office, the signing of the agreement happened at the sideline of the BRICS summit in South Africa.
Construction of the dry port is expected to help reduce transportation costs and ease trade in the area.
The Chinese company will also build a presidential terminal at Juba International Airport, Apron project and an air traffic management system.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in South Africa, President Salva Kiir praised the Chinese government for supporting South Sudan’s development agenda and promised to maintain ties.
Meanwhile, China Communications Construction Company Chairman, Wang Tongzhou said China remains enthusiastic about fostering bilateral ties with South Sudan in expected areas.
“China is determined and will always be ready to expand bilateral cooperation with South Sudan in trade, investment and infrastructure development,” Wang said.
South Sudan and China have historical and cordial diplomatic relations as well as trade and infrastructural ties.
China has helped South Sudan with numerous infrastructural projects such as the establishment of roads and bridges and aided the young nation in meeting oil business at the international market.
President Kiir on Tuesday traveled to Johannesburg, South Africa to participate in the BRICS Summit. The summit aimed at discussing political and economic influence in the Global South, geopolitics and expansion of the bloc.
President Kiir joined several World leaders at the summit, including China’s President Xi Jinping, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and other Heads of State.