South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
The South Sudan Chamber of Commerce and Industry has reconstituted its specialized committee, which has been inactive since 2008.
The committee consisting of 25 members and seven sub-committees, is designed to tackle the various challenges traders face in the country.
The Chairperson of the South Sudan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Losidik Lukak Legge during the availing of committee members on Wednesday in Juba, said that many traders are struggling due to delayed payments from the government.
“Traders are experiencing immense hardships, particularly the national traders who have lent money to the government and have yet to get paid. This unfortunate situation has led some traders to face imprisonment,” he said.
Legge urged traders to remain patient while the committee works to resolve these pressing issues.
The Director General for the Private Sector in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Benson Bol, emphasized the need to reclaim local markets from foreign traders who have significantly dominated the market.
“Our hope lies with you the members of this committee. We are fully aware that our markets are largely in the hands of foreigners. It is crucial that you work diligently to bring these markets back to our local traders,” said Bol.
Bol said that the Ministry of Trade and Industry remains committed to addressing concerns of traders, adding that they ramping up efforts to stabilize market prices that have skyrocketed due supply chain disruptions and inflation.
The Chairperson of the specialized committee, William Akowch Lwong reiterated the importance of the committee’s role in stabilizing the market.
He noted that the absence of a dedicated committee over the past years has contributed to rising prices.
“The lack of oversight and advocacy from this committee has led to significant increases in market prices. Moving forward, we will ensure that essential goods such as food, medicine, and other basic needs are available to our citizens, as these are critical for their well-being,” said Lwong.
Anne Apio, Chairperson of one of the sub-committees, encouraged women to actively participate in business ventures, adding that empowering women in business is vital for economic recovery.
As the specialized committee embarks on its mission, there is cautious optimism among traders and officials. The hope is that this renewed focus on local trade and support for national businesses will ultimately lead to a more resilient and prosperous economy.
