South Sudan, Uganda to boost trade on essential commodities

KOBOKO – Authorities in South Sudan and neighbouring Uganda have agreed to lift a ban on stoppage of essential commodities entering each other’s territories.

Classified as essential commodities are rice, sugar, cooking oil, soap and sweets.

South Sudan’s Central Equatoria State minister for Trade and Industry, Wani Tom Sebit and Uganda’s Resident District Commissioner for Koboko, Emmy Mitala met early this week to discuss ways of enhancing trade between the two countries.

The meeting further recognized sustained efforts by both nations towards maintaining a cordial relationship and peaceful coexistence along their borders.

“The agreement is expected to bring several benefits to both countries. For South Sudan, it will provide access to essential good and service that were previously unavailable or in short supply due to trade stoppage and for Uganda the agreement will provide a much-needed market for exports particularly agricultural products which are in high demand in South Sudan,” said Sebit.

He said two sides would again meet before the new agreement commences.

The agreement does not, however, apply to fuel trucks entering into South Sudan.

South Sudan is one of Uganda’s largest trading partners. In 2021, trade between the two countries was worth $389 million, according to the Bank of Uganda report.

Uganda’s exports to South Sudan reportedly amounted to $482.46 million, while imports were $10.25 million, about 37.34 percent of Uganda’s exports within the East African Community.