South Sudan vows to develop private sector
September 6, 2011 (JUBA) – South Sudan on Tuesday vowed strong support to development of the private sector, urging business people not to leave the sector it described as engine of the economic growth.
Different high ranking government officials made remarks while addressing a workshop aimed at drumming up support purposely designed to stimulate and sustain economic development for the newly established Republic of South Sudan.
The workshop brought together participants from all economic sectors in the country was meant to create awareness about the Private Public Dialogue (PPD) principles, approaches and best practices with the aim of empowering the business community to participate effectively in leveraging economic growth through private-public partnerships.
Speaking at the opening workshop, Elizabeth Majok the Undersecretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment pledged the government’s commitment to supporting the development of the private sector. There is immense political goodwill from the government for the private sector development.
“The President himself is committed to nurturing the private sector; the private sector should now play its role and spur economic growth in the country”, said Majok who informed participants at the workshop that four business-related bills are currently before the National Legislative Assembly.
Ms Majok, who occupies the third senior position in the ministry, explained that consumer protection, standards as well as weights and measures bills are awaiting deliberations and approval from the national assembly.
“These bills, she said, when enacted, will play a major role in streamlining the business environment in South Sudan”
The official called on the business community to focus on service delivery rather than zooming too much on gains and argued that a focus on service delivery will help reduce the current high prices of commodities and services in the country.
Speaking at the same function, the Undersecretary in the Ministry of Justice, Jeremiah Swaka said the ministry has prioritised commercial laws and has facilitated the enactment of several trade laws. He reported, however, that Trade Marks and Intellectual Property laws are yet to be developed.
Swaka equally called on the citizens to engage actively in the private sector as he regretted that the business sector appears to be in the hands of the foreign nationals and enterprises. He cautioned business persons against imitating other businesses.
“When one looks around we find that all business activities in Juba including water supply are run by foreigners. The foreigner nationals are taking up all commercial activities. Our people look to the government to provide everything. They expect everything to come from government”, said Swaka.
He called on the business community across South Sudan to uphold ethical conduct and deliver high quality services to the citizens and the country.
“The government would like to deliver quality services to the people through the private sector”, he said. He also appealed to the business community to be conspicuous in facilitating the development of the business environment it desires.
He called on the relevant institutions to streamline immigration through issuance of work permits to safeguard local jobs and cautioned against “briefcase businesses”.He said that the ministry will soon begin inspections to confirm physical locations of businesses incorporated in the Republic of South Sudanto make sure they exist.
Akuei Deng Akuei, head of Investment directorate in the ministry of commerce, industry and trade asserted that South Sudan invites and encourages foreign investment.
He called for the establishment of a centralised revenue authority to streamline taxation.
The workshop was organised by the South Sudan Business Forum (SSBF) in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group.
The SSBF Programmes Coordinator, Mr. Gabriel Aliga said that the forum facilitates private-public dialogues and has so far contributed to the development and enactment of several business laws and establishment of institutions aimed at enhancing the business environment in South Sudan.
(ST)
ocitigangpemeru
South Sudan vows to develop private sector
Maa Hei, Talking is cheap,to me these too many workshops organize by the so called ministries without any yield result at the end are worthyless and time consuming. these workshops are just talkingshop where those greedy ministers and their ensycopants eat, refreshing and enjoying cold AC tirelesly for the whole day with an ending useless talking which doesn’t comes to effect.
I love those who talk less and work lots, like his HE. President
Lok T Simon
South Sudan vows to develop private sector
Dear Southerners,
Republic of Southern Sudan will become the powerful nation in 20-25 years to come if the people stick on their commentments as I can see. If R.S.S adopt capitalism instead of communism of the past and eliminate away what Southern Sudanese including north called everything “is ours”, then the newest nation on earth would become number one in Africa though.
Allowing country to be in private sector would be excellent idea South Sudan government ever have in place and the new nation will move forwards sooner rather than later. There would be high competition between firms or businesses, high competition between investors and as well as individuals citizen that have versions.
If R.S.S wants to privatise businesses, then also the following group must given opportunties too. The group that need to be given priorities on their own decisions:
1- local government-must be given their own decision locally after central government funding them and eliminate bureaucracy.
2-businesses people or firms-government must make sure that private banks have interrelation or interlinkage with businesses or firms through funding them in term of loans.
3-Free trade in and out-government must make sure that there is free movements of goods and services within the country and outside the country.
4-Lower taxtion- low tax would encourage big or small businesses to go on with their dailly businesses because they could be sure that they are going to suvive within the range of government gap expectations.
5-killing brberies-would be a big boost for the newest nation development if the R.S.S keeps its promiseses.
6-building roads including rail ways, sea and standard airways would be fantastic to make R.S.S pride of itself.
Thanks
Lok T. Simon.