By: Ginaba Lino
The Minister of East African Community Affairs, Pieng Deng Kuol, has called on the Ministry of Trade and Industry to develop strategies that will enable South Sudan’s oil and other locally produced goods to compete effectively in regional and international markets.
Speaking at the two-Day 2nd National Trade Forum in Juba, Kuol said South Sudan has immense economic potential but continues to lag behind its regional counterparts due to limited value addition and inadequate market integration.
“We are not competing as we should, either in the regional or international markets. South Sudan exports crude oil, yet imports refined petroleum products. We need to think seriously about value addition, including establishing oil refineries, so that our resources can generate greater benefits for our people and strengthen our position in the regional economy.”
He noted that South Sudan possesses some of the largest oil reserves in the region but has not fully leveraged this advantage. According to Kuol, investing in refining capacity would reduce dependence on imported fuel and increase the country’s competitiveness within the East African market.
Beyond oil, the minister highlighted the untapped potential of South Sudan’s fisheries, agriculture, and other natural resources. He said products such as fish could become competitive regional exports if properly processed, packaged, and marketed.
“Our country is blessed with vast land, abundant water, and favorable rainfall, yet our people are not benefiting as much as they should,” he said. “We must move from potential to reality by developing products that can successfully compete in regional markets.”
Kuol urged participants at the two-day forum to produce practical recommendations that can guide government efforts to expand trade, promote industrialization, and attract investment.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Margaret Labanya Mathya, emphasized the need to create an environment that attracts trade and economic growth rather than waiting for opportunities to emerge.
“We need to attract economic growth and trade,” she said. “This forum provides an opportunity for stakeholders to engage, discuss challenges, and identify practical solutions that will help drive the country’s development.”
Dr. Mathya commended traders, development partners, donors, and neighbouring countries for their contributions to South Sudan’s economic progress, describing the forum as a key platform for strengthening collaboration and advancing the country’s trade agenda.
The Second National Trade Forum brings together government officials, private sector representatives, development partners, and regional stakeholders to discuss strategies for enhancing trade competitiveness and accelerating economic transformation in South Sudan.