Foreign Traders in Juba Voice Concerns Over High Taxes

Foreign traders together with their national counterparts on Wednesday expressed deep concerns over the high taxes levied by the government.
The foreign and national traders in a group photo with Losidik Lado Lukak, the Chairperson of the National Chamber of Commerce in Juba after their meeting [Photo by Jenifer James]

By Jenifer James

Foreign traders together with their national counterparts on Wednesday expressed deep concerns over the high taxes levied by the government.

Elias Mugagga, the Chairperson of the Ugandan community in South Sudan, said during a meeting with officials of the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Juba, that the City Council authorities are imposing high taxes on their businesses which has forced many of them to hike prices of goods.

“It’s not just about the dollar scarcity, it’s the unnecessary charges imposed by the Juba City Council that forced us to increase prices,” Mugagga said.

 His comments underscore a common frustration among traders who feel burdened by excessive taxes and regulatory fees.

“The money we owe in taxes often leads us to double the prices of goods just to afford the dollar,” Mugagga said.

 This perspective highlights the multifaceted challenges traders face, balancing operational costs with the need to offer affordable prices to consumers.

Mugagga called on the government to stabilize the dollar exchange rate in order to ease the cost of doing business.

“We need a consistent dollar rate. At this point, we just want to know what the dollar rate will be each day,” he said.

The fluctuating exchange rate adds another layer of complexity, making it challenging for traders to keep their business afloat.

Losidik Lado Lukak, the Chairperson of the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, revealed the disconnect between the fluctuating dollar value and the persistent high prices of food commodities.

“Why are traders not reducing prices of food commodities when the dollar has gone down?” he questioned, seeking clarity from the traders present.

Lukak emphasized the need for collaboration among traders to ensure that food remains affordable for the average citizen.

“There is a need for cooperation between the private and public sectors to tackle these challenges together,” he said.

Salwa Bakuny, Deputy Chairperson of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, assured both foreign and national traders that their concerns would be considered.

 “We will raise these tax issues with the government and advocate for a solution,” she said.

Despite the recent rebound of the South Sudan Pound against the dollar, traders remain hesitant to lower their prices, citing the high costs incurred when importing their stock.

Many expressed concern that if they reduce prices now, they might not be able to recover their initial investments, especially if the SSP continued to lose value again.

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