Long-serving foreign company closes down in South Sudan’s Rumbek

October 12, 2013 (RUMBEK) – A foreign company operating in Lakes state’s Rumbek Central county says it has been forced to close down due to government-imposed restrictions on its business activities since June.

AFEX Group was the first company to begin operating in Rumbek Central county after the former rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M) signed a peace deal with Khartoum in 2005

However, the company, which began its operations the following year, reported that “restrictions and high taxes” had forced them to completely shut down their business interests in the region.

“We were forced to close down our businesses in Rumbek due to harsh and oppressive measures being imposed on our business. We are not getting what we need – there is too much taxes imposed and income is very low since clients are not coming to Rumbek in big numbers”, one of the company’s former employees told Sudan Tribune on condition of anonymity.

AFEX is headquartered in the Kenyan capital Nairobi with associated offices in Tanzania, Uganda, US and Canada.

According to its company profile, AFEX provides remote site project support and is specialised in making a rapid response in international emergencies.

In Rumbek Central the company had worked to provide full accommodation, internet services and a conference hall.

(ST)