South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"

By Benjamin Takpiny
President Salva Kiir Mayardit has promised to address the run-away inflation by encouraging import substitution in order to boost local production.
“The government is well aware of the current economic challenges and the toll it is taking on their people, but rest assured that during these challenging times, our government is committed to finding solutions that will ease the burden on our people,” said Kiir during his New Year address to the nation in Juba.
He said that his government is working tirelessly to boost domestic production to counter the high cost of foreign imports.
Kiir also noted that the economy has been hit hard following years of conflict since December 2013, adding that this has resulted into civil servants not receiving their salaries on time as well as limiting the government’s capacity to spend on development programs.
“Despite these challenges, we have never stopped exploring suitable policies that support economic recovery and growth for all. This year alone, we increased the salaries of our civil servants by up to 400 percent as part of our efforts to meet the current economic conditions,” said Kiir.
He said that the government has also embarked on major infrastructural development projects by launching nationwide road networks that aim to connect the whole country.
Kiir said that these infrastructural developments will not only create economic opportunities but also reduce insecurity.
“Our dream of promoting quality education and health care and laying a solid foundation for our children is in progress, thanks to the government and our international partners in supporting and investing significant resources in education, health and water sectors,” he said.
South Sudan depends on oil revenues to finance nearly 96 percent of it’s annual fiscal budget.
However, the oil dependent economy has since 2013 been experiencing hyperinflation caused by years of disruption of oil production due to conflict near the oil producing fields of Upper Nile, Unity state and Ruweng Administrative Area.