STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN OF PRESIDENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON EXPORTS & INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT

Thursday, July 21, 2022

 

for the uganda-south sudan business forum in juba

july 2022

 

Hon. Ministers …..

Your Excellencies

Heads of Diplomatic missions,

Our Distinguished Business leaders,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

I bring you warm greetings from the Republic of Uganda and I wish to thank you for fostering the efforts of building trade and investment between our 2 countries.

Uganda -South Sudan Business Forum 2022

Today, approximately 200 business people from Uganda and South Sudan have converged in Juba to participate in the Uganda – South Sudan Business forum with high expectations to develop deep and lasting business relations that will strengthen and enhance open trade and mutual investments, leading to reduction in poverty levels and insecurities among our people. PACEID supported a similar event in DRC last month and we saw tremendous success with over 300 business people registering business deals in Kinshasa and Goma. 

The Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID) was established in March 2022 by H.E the President of Uganda facilitate business people to address strategic and operational bottlenecks that are currently impede trade. Therefore, as PACEID success of search trade missions that have been put together by both the public and private sector institutions is a clear indication that our government’s (GOU and GOSS) are committed to providing an enabling environment for our business people to flourish.  I wish to thank our presidents H.E Salva Kiir and H.E Yoweri Museveni for their support and fore sight.

 

Theme

The business forum under the theme under the theme “Enhancing Bilateral Trade and Investment through Industrialization and Infrastructure Development “directly resonateswith our country’s precise needs. Republic of South Sudan and Uganda share strong cultural, economic and political ties and are both member states of the East African Community. Our 2 countries are also both landlocked, with almost 500km of border between them, making this forum a convergence of like minds.

 

Trade and Investment

According to statistics over the last 10 years (2012-2022) trade between Uganda and South Sudan has increased by 100% from USD1.9K in 2012 to USD 492M in 2021. This, not taking into account of the large volumes of informal trade that happens across our borders. South Sudan is one of Uganda’s key strategic trading and investment partner for Uganda in both products and services.

 

Year

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Exports (USD 000)

1.9

174.2

280.5

265.3

239.3

299.3

355.9

351.5

356.7

482.5

Imports (USD 000)

0.0

0.0

0.0

2.8

5.2

8.5

6.6

9.2

88.8

10.3

Total Trade

1.9

174.2

280.5

268.0

244.4

307.8

362.5

360.7

445.5

492.7

Source (BOU)

                 

 

It’s worthy of mention, that Uganda Government is at the forefront of promoting regional integration in order to harness the benefits. The EAC comprising of 7 member states with the recent inclusion of DRC has a market of over 300 million consumers, AfCFTA (54 member states) with a market of 1.3 billion consumers makes regional trade the right thing to do.  I therefore encourage Uganda and South Sudan business people develop strong business partnerships in trade and investment to take advantage of the AfCFTA.

In the past traders have had a series challenge some of which were resolved and others still pending. I want to assure our business people that both governments are working together to ensure all these are handled.

This business forum and many other efforts have been put in place to ensure proper and smooth business between Uganda and South Sudan. Uganda government is closely working with South Sudan to put in place favorable trade and investment policies with incentives that make it faster and easier to do business in both countries.

 

Cross border trade:

GOU has over the years worked with development partners to improve border infrastructure at Elegu-Nimule border. We know how important Nimule border is for South Sudan as the main artery that feeds South Sudan. Most of the imports for SS go through the land border at Nimule-Elegu.  GOU, under the EAC Common Market Protocol has collaborated with GOSS to expediate clearance of goods and people at Elegu-Nimule border. We appeal to institutions in SS to effectively use the Nimule-Elegu border to implement once stop controls. Furthermore, we look forward to working with GOSS to reduce the Non-Tariff Barriers along the Nimule-Juba trading corridor.     

 

Tourism

Allow me to mention here also that Uganda is truly and fondly known as the Pearl of Africa, which am sure some of you have visited and are welcome to continue to visit. Uganda boasts of some of the top Universities in Africa (over 20 universities), top Hospitals and growing health services sector that you should take advantage in your neighborhood,  the young and talented ICT experts that are developing unique and practical applications to solve Africa’s problems, a growing creatives (artists) and innovation sector that lights up our entertainment space and finally a well endowed country with beautiful rich natural scenery that calms you down as you tour Uganda the Pearl of Africa.

 

I wish to express my gratitude to the Republic South Sudan for the support and dedication to ensuring a peaceful business environment. We attach great importance to the friendly and mutually beneficial relations with South Sudan in economic development that has not only contributed to the country’s development but has also built confidence among our people. I therefore call upon you all to closely engage in these 3 days while in Juba to learn more from each other and build lasting business relations.

 

I wish you all participants enriching experience in Juba

 

Thank you For God and My country