South Sudan prides in possessing various resources but there exists a gap in tapping value out of them, the Minister of Investment Dhieu Mathok has said.

According to Mathok, the Africa’s youngest country has fertile lands, water, forests, mineral and petroleum but the country is yet to find a mechanism to maximise on them.

“We are lacking the capacity of transforming these resources in to finished goods. We need to work collectively to explore these resources for the benefit of the two countries,” said Mathok, as he addressed the official opening of the Trade and Investment Fair for the Sudanese Products in Juba on Saturday at the Freedom Hell.

The trade expo was officially opened on January 9, 2021, by the First Vice President Dr. Riak Machar. Several other dignitaries in attendance were First Deputy Chairperson of the Sudan Transitional Sovereign Council who arrived in Juba on Saturday, the Sudanese Minister of Trade and Industry Madani Abbas Madani, the Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs Angelina Teng and the Presidential Adviser on Security to the President Tut Gatluak.

Supporting businesses

Mathok added that the South Sudanese government recognises the benefits from the private sectors and will do everything to ensure their sustenance.

“I would like to call upon our local business community and the Sudanese investors to join us in developing the economy of this country in priority sectors set by the government of South Sudan,” he said.

According to Mathok, the Revitalised Transitional Government of Unity is aware of the numerous challenges facing the business community, and the ministry of investment is working hard to create a conductive environment that would allow businesses to thrive

“The entire term of the ministry of investment will work closely with private sectors and all other stake holders make 2021 a real investment year in the republic of South Sudan,” he emphasised.