Arop Jonchol
Juba—Al-Wadi Newspaper
South Sudan’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Atong Kuol Manyang, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for business growth and economic prosperity. She emphasized the importance of sound economic policies and regulatory frameworks that foster market stability.
Her remarks came during the opening of the National Trade Forum held in the capital, Juba. The two-day event brings together representatives from both the public and private sectors, as well as national and regional business institutions.
Minister Kuol stated that the ministry is working to ensure all commercial activities operate within a legal framework that adheres to established rules and regulations. She also stressed the importance of regional integration and partnerships to support cross-border trade and strengthen political and economic collaboration.
*”We are working to activate existing commercial legal frameworks and will introduce necessary amendments when required to ensure trade stability. Additionally, we aim to reduce or eliminate non-tariff barriers such as quotas and tariffs,”* she explained.
She expressed optimism that the forum would yield practical recommendations to help South Sudan fully leverage its trade and investment potential.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, Hon. Onyoti Adigo, voiced concern over uncontrolled price hikes in the markets, pointing to significant discrepancies in commodity pricing without clear justification.
*”In the market, I find the same item sold at three different prices in three shops, which reflects a lack of oversight and regulation,”* he said.
For his part, Deputy Chair of the Chamber of Commerce John Lual warned about the negative impact of multiple taxes imposed by various government agencies. He noted that this situation has led to the closure of an increasing number of businesses.
Lual called for the adoption of a unified and fair tax system, highlighting that the absence of clear regulatory guidelines has allowed some local authorities to impose arbitrary taxes, placing a heavy burden on investors and entrepreneurs.
