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Kiir calls for foreign investment in South Sudan’s mineral deposits

June 26, 2013 (JUBA) – South Sudan president Salva Kiir Mayardit, currently concluding a three-day state visit to Botswana, has called for foreign investment to develop the country’s potential mineral deposits, apparently to reduce dependence on oil.

President Kiir, according to the statement seen by Sudan Tribune on Wednesday visited Botswana in response to the invitation extended to him by his host, President Ian Khama.

The visit is expected to strengthen and deepen cooperation between the two countries. The two leaders on Tuesday held officials talks on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual concern. Botswana is one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with South Sudan following independence in July 2011.

Speaking at the official meeting, Kiir reportedly called on the Botswana government to encourage business groups to consider pursuing investment opportunities in his country, saying there were a lot of opportunities in all sectors of the economy.

“We are a young nation with a lot of investment opportunities for Botswana business communities. I have come with sincere greetings from our people and the government. I have come personally to convey to you our happiness and to appreciate the role the people of Botswana and your government had played during our years of struggle. You were one of the few friends who stood with us and remain standing with until today. Because of these strong relations, I encouraged you consider South Sudan as not only the investment destination but also your home”, Kiir told the crowd in a speech at a school in Botswana.

He commended the Botswana government for building the school, saying it would serve as a motivation to him and his government.

“I want to take this opportunity to encourage the children of Botswana and specifically the students of today to take education seriously,” he said. He said education was an opportunity that should never be taken for granted and urged students to utilise it.

Kiiir said a whole generation of his countrymen and women were denied the opportunity to go to school due to war.

“Most of our people were forced to learn under trees and for that reason, education is one of our top priorities in the country. We long to see our children have many opportunities as any other child in Botswana or Japan or America,” he said.

The president expressed eagerness to learn from the experiences of Botswana’s government and people in order for his country to be able to catch up with the rest of the world in terms of education.

“In 14 days, we will celebrate our second independence day. Being an independent nation is a source of pride; however, we remain mindful that it is not easy to build a nation. We are eager to learn from the experiences of our brothers and sisters so that we adopt the best practices in our drive to develop our country”, he said in a speech broadcast by the state run-South Sudan Television on Tuesday.

Meanwhile South Sudanese Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Garang Diing Akuong, said his country wants to diversify the economy and reduce dependency on oil revenues by encouraging investment in other sectors.

South Sudan, according to Minister Akuong, has potential in non-oil sectors which the government has decided to focus in order to achieve long term sustainable growth.

“We have resource in abundance and entrepreneurial opportunities are immeasurable. This is suitable time providing opportunities for them to be exploited and create wealth and jobs. Our economy is starting with incredible opportunity for business people to invest”, he said

With an estimation of over 13 million heads of cattle and abundant fertile soil, Akuong further added that agriculture and agri-business were among the lucrative investment sectors that could be harnessed into profitable businesses.

“Abundant land, water and massive unmet local and regional demand creates opportunities in all areas of agriculture, forestry and fisheries”, he said.

This combination, according to the minister, also in a statement broadcast by state television, create commercial opportunities in a wide range of crops including but not limited to cereals, oil seeds, sugar, horticulture, coffee, tea and other specialty crops such as gum.

He said other sectors, which could be exploited included mining, energy and electricity as well as petroleum and gas industries. According to him, most of South Sudan’s mineral wealth has not yet been tapped.

“Currently, it is believed that less than 50 per cent of suspected oil reserves in South Sudan are yet to be exploited”, he said.

The official stated that there were also other minerals deposits such as gold, iron, copper, zinc, limestone and marble.

“I encourage those who have a proven track record in the mining industry to come and invest in South Sudan.”

Botswana Minister of Trade and Industry, Dorcas Makgato-Malesu, seen speaking at a meeting in with minister Akuong, which was also broadcast by the South Sudan Television said a strong partnership between her country in private sector and the new nation would culminate in immense benefit for the two countries.

“I am aware that it is also in your best interest to see business relationships growing between South Sudan and Botswana and I am confident that after this session, we will see those business partnerships being established by some of the companies”, she said.

(ST)

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