The economy of South Sudan is not collapsing despite the difficult times the country is undergoing due to the oil production shutdown.
National finance Minister Kosti Manibe told the press in Juba today that the austerity measures are working well and the country will pull through its economic difficulties.Mr Manibe said the money from taxes increased four times compared with last year and it can increase up to ten times now that taxation was unified and illegal taxation banned.
He added that the Government will tap other sources of revenue including licensing telecommunications, oil concessions and mining.
Mr Manibe said the war with the Sudan increased the expenses of the Government.
He complained that some offices were not disciplined enough to keep expenses within the austerity budget.
Mr Manibe announced that the Government is ready to make further cuts in non essential expanses.
The finance minister said the Government is getting grants and loans to keep the economy going.
He disclosed that the Government received a trade credit of 100 million US dollars from Qatar to import fuel, food and medicines.