By William Madouk
South Sudan and South Africa are exploring collaboration in potential business and investment opportunities.
South African Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor, on Monday met with the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Dau Deng.
According to the acting Minister Dau, the meeting touched on issues related to visa waivers, notably for diplomatic and official passports, as well as potential investment opportunities in Mining, Trade, Agriculture, oil, livestock, and fisheries.
Addressing the media, Minister Deng thanked the South African Minister and acknowledged the presence of South African companies in the mining and oil sectors.
He further encouraged South African enterprises to explore investment opportunities in the country.
“This morning, we had a deep discussion on areas of bilateral relations, ranging from petroleum and gas to mining,” said Deng.
“We also discussed the status of investment and trade, and we had reflections on the issue of livestock and fisheries and the opportunities that exist in South Sudan that can be used for the benefit of South Sudan and the businesspeople from South Africa,” he added.
Minster Deng reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening its relationships at the regional, international, and bilateral levels.
South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Pandor, said hosting a joint ministerial meeting was one of her agenda items, in addition to the Action Plan, which would boost bilateral relations.
She said that her government’s inspires Africans to achieve peace, security, and economic development.
Minister Pandor urged the government to support the African Agenda 2030, dubbed “Africa We Want.”
“We have deliberated extensively on several important issues related to our bilateral relations and developments regarding the South Sudanese peace process. I am very pleased to note that H.E. the Deputy President (South Africa) will be engaging with the parties to the Revitalized Agreement during his working visit,” she revealed.
Among the attendance were the Ministers of Petroleum, Mining, Investor, Livestock, and Fisheries.
Lately, President Salva Kiir jetted to South Africa and met his counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, the duo talked about areas of strengthening bilateral relations between Juba and Pretoria.
The government of South Sudan expressed its readiness to join the BRICS union in a bold step to strengthen its position towards economic growth and political stability.
Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deng said joining the Union would help South Sudan revamp its broken economy.
BRICS, which consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is a union established in 2001 with the aim of boosting economic and political relations between the member states.