By Yiep Joseph
President Salva Kiir Mayardit has officially endorsed resolutions of the recently concluded First National Trade Forum.
The forum, convened earlier this month by the Ministry of Trade and Industry in collaboration with relevant institutions and partners, brought together stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.
Its primary objective was to identify challenges and develop practical solutions to stimulate the country’s economy.
Following the forum’s conclusion, the Ministry of Trade and Industry adopted 17 key recommendations. These resolutions cover a range of areas deemed crucial for improving the business environment and supporting local enterprise.
Among the endorsed recommendations are proposals for connecting affordable and reliable electricity across the country, the removal of illegal checkpoints that impede trade, initiating legal system reforms to better support businesses, and improving access to loans for local entrepreneurs, among others.
President Kiir’s endorsement came on Wednesday after receiving a report on the forum’s outcomes from the Minister of Trade and Industry, Atong Kuol Manyang.
According to a statement from the office of the President, Kiir stressed the importance of implementing these resolutions with the hope that they will significantly improve the economic landscape of South Sudan.
“President Salva Kiir Mayardit has endorsed the outcomes of the recently concluded First National Trade Forum, organized by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, which focused on fostering economic growth, attracting investment, and improving South Sudan’s business environment,” the statement read in part.
During the meeting, Minister Atong Kuol Manyang highlighted illegal taxes and excessive roadblocks as significant issues undermining economic stability and trade facilitation within the country.
She explained that these barriers force traders to increase commodity prices to offset their losses, consequently reducing the purchasing power of ordinary citizens.
President Kiir acknowledged the challenges presented by the Trade Minister and reassured the business community of the government’s commitment to supporting reforms that aim to reduce trade barriers, stabilize markets, and restore investor confidence.
He further urged the relevant institutions, including the Ministry of Trade, to prioritize policies that empower local traders and benefit the broader population to stimulate overall economic growth.
“He emphasized the importance of empowering local traders and called on the Ministry to prioritize policies that benefit the broader population and stimulate economic growth,” the statement read in part.
This focus aligns with the priorities recently articulated by Minister Atong Kuol Manyang since assuming her role, replacing Joseph Mum Majak. During her welcoming ceremony at the Ministry, she vowed to strengthen South Sudan’s capacity to export products internationally.
Minister Atong expressed hope that with the support of the Ministry’s staff, plans to increase exports could be achieved. She highlighted the need to ensure that domestic products are competitive in regional and international markets, which requires targeted policies aimed at boosting exports and developing local industries.
The efforts supported by the forum’s resolutions and the Minister’s agenda are expected to contribute to the goals outlined in the National Export and Investment Strategy, which South Sudan launched in 2023.
This five-year strategy envisions “A sustainable, productive and diversified economy for inclusive development and prosperity in South Sudan.”
By initiating vital policy reforms and infrastructure initiatives, the Strategy aims to support investment, boost domestic and cross-border trade, and integrate South Sudan more effectively into the East African Community (EAC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
It also prioritizes bolstering local production, curbing imports, and stabilizing inflation for economic resilience.