LocationsLaunch of the ‘South Sudan Diagnostic Trade Integration Study Update Report’
September 1, 2023
Group photo at the launch
JUBA—August 28, 2023 The UNDP with funding from the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) and in partnership with the Government of South Sudan through the Ministry of Trade and Industry launched the South Sudan Diagnostic Trade Integration Study Update Report and discussed the key actions vital to fostering trade and private sector competitiveness, regional and global trade, market access, and economic diversification strategies in South Sudan. The objective of the DTISU Report is to provide an up-to-date trade integration policy document that can stimulate the development of trade for South Sudan’s goods and services.
The Government of South Sudan, through the Revised National Development Strategy (R-NDS) 2021-2024, seeks to foster trade competitiveness and economic diversification through strategic agricultural value chains. While the government has committed to increasing investment in value addition to enhance economic diversification, the poor business environment remains the barrier to inclusive trade and private sector development.
The first Diagnostic Trade Integration Study was undertaken in 2014. It assessed South Sudan’s economy, identified key trade sectors, outlined constraints to trade, and presented an Action Matrix. The study provided a key analytical foundation for policy recommendations and interventions for Trade Related Technical Assistance and capacity-building for greater trade and market integration of South Sudan into regional and global trade systems.
In 2022, an update to the DTIS was needed to address the emerging trade policy regime, the trade-related recommendations in the R-ARCSS, new strategies in the R-NDS 2021–2024, and the growing interest in integrating trade-related policies towards economic diversification. The updated DTIS Report provides further analytical assessment of the progress to date of South Sudan’s trade regime and capacity. It takes stock of the previous DTIS, measures progress, and identifies key strategies to address supply-side constraints to trade and attempts to remedy challenges around the development of inclusive and sustainable trade in South Sudan.
Mr. Augustine Kenyi, the Director for External Trade Minister of Trade and Industry
During the launch event, Mr. Augustine Kenyi, the Director for External Trade Minister of Trade and Industry spoke about the process of developing the DTIS and the updated report. Through a thoughtful consultation process, government institutions, private sector institutions, academics, and UN agencies were brought together to validate the report .He also stressed the important role South Sudan can play in the global economy “We know that the world needs and relies on Africa for her resources More than ever, the world is calling on Africa particularly in light of the triple threat of climate change, fragmentation of economic relations between main trading partners, and insecurity. As we launch DTISU, the narrative in South Sudan must pivot away from an exclusive focus on poverty alleviation towards fostering economic growth through investment-led trade and moving up the value chains for the benefit of South Sudan people. I hope DTISU shall equip our policymakers with the knowledge, insights, and skills needed to drive sustainable economic development, enhance trade relationships, and foster mutual understanding among nations.”
Mr. Kennedy Kenyi Lodiong, the Secretary General of Association of South Sudan Manufactures spoke about the importance of manufacturing, industrialisation, processing, and assembly industries in shifting the direction of economic development in South Sudan. When these industries grow, there will be jobs for youth and women, thereby increasing people's purchasing power. As an advovate for the private sector Mr Lodiong said the issues related to three key challenges, Infrastructure development, policy and regulation, trade facilitation and investment, “can be resolved in such a forum if we have an action plan and a means to find long-term solutions for the economic growth. The government and the private sector should work closely together to bring the growth we are looking for in our economy.”
Mr. Titus Osundia DRRP, UNDP
Mr. Titus Osundina, the Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP spoke about how the implementation of the updated document together with the R-ARCSS will see the private sector, especially MSMEs led by women and youth, taking advantage of trade opportunities. Because peace and trade go hand in hand, the impact of trade on peace development is also an integral feature in implementation of the recommendations. Mr. Osundina expressed his appreciation for the fact that several recommendations specific to climate change mitigation and diversification of the economy beyond oil where also included.
“I hope that the DTISU Report will provide additional impetus for the government’s transformational and bold interventions in support of the long-term vision for the country, over and above the immediate response and recovery efforts linked to economic diversification. What is critical going forward is the commitment to follow up on proposed actions. Because implementation requires a “whole of government” approach, it is heartening to see all the key government agencies, development partners, and private sector representative driving the implementation of the DTIS updated report here at the launch, reaffirming your support and commitment to this agenda.” -- Mr. Titus Osundina, the Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP.
Hon. Simon Nyang Anei, Technical Advisor to the Ministry of Trade and Industry officially launched the report saying, “The launching of Diagnostic Trade Integration Study Update addresses the need to support the realization of the expected development outcome of the NDS clusters. DTISU Identifies the trade related priorities through the Action Matrix, which will inform the mainstreaming of trade related priorities into future development strategies, sector plans, and implementation of Trade Policy Actions to support the inclusive trade and private sector development. I would like to acknowledge the technical and financial support from UNDP and Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) that supported DTIS update for South Sudan.”
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