![South Sudan deputy information minister Jacob Mijok Korok speaks to reporters following a cabinet meeting in Juba on Friday, May 31, 2024. [Photo by Sudans Post]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_2457.jpg?resize=1024%2C607&ssl=1)
Deputy Information Minister Jacob Maiju Korok, briefing reporters after a cabinet meeting chaired by President Salva Kiir in Juba, said the initially proposed budget of over 2.4 trillion South Sudanese pounds placed a heavy emphasis on agriculture.
Finance Minister Awow Daniel Chuong had presented the draft budget under the theme “Accelerate economic recovery through sustained reforms by prioritizing agriculture as an engine of growth.”
“The budget’s core focus was on supporting farmers through readily available credit from the Agriculture Bank of South Sudan,” Korok explained.
However, the cabinet sought a broader approach. Korok highlighted the need for investments in education, healthcare, and mining to diversify government revenue sources.
He also emphasized the importance of expediting reforms in public procurement, value-added tax (VAT), and property tax.
“There will be a significant reduction in expenditure,” Korok said. “The government will prioritize wage and salary payments while minimizing other expenditures. Non-essential spending will be deferred until the economic situation stabilizes.”
This delay puts South Sudan behind schedule compared to other members of the East African Community (EAC) who all presented their budgets on June 13th. The country is currently grappling with a severe economic crisis.
In another development, the cabinet approved a uniform for South Sudan’s national sports teams and fans.
Youth and Sports Minister Joseph Geng Akec revealed that three color options (blue, green, and white) were presented, with the council unanimously selecting blue and white.
“Fans can wear these national colors during international and national competitions to showcase South Sudan’s identity, values, and culture,” Akec said.
The chosen uniform will be used for the upcoming Olympic Games in France.
