South Sudan unveils policies to attract investors

Investment Minister Dhieu Mathok (radiotamazuj.org)

The minister of trade and investment has said the cabinet has approved some key investment policies and projects and called on investors from the region to come and invest in South Sudan. 

Investment minister, Dhieu Mathok Diing, said his ministry has re-established the five directorates of investment including the directorate of administration and finance, research and planning, investment promotion, and Investment service.

“For us to work in harmony and coordinate with our colleagues doing investment at the state level, we have created a state affairs department in the national ministry of investment called ‘state affairs’ to deal with investment activities in the state. So this is the new thing,” Minister Mathok said.

He said the ministry has a three-year work plan to fulfill the set programs and projects. South Sudan has major investment areas including oil and gas, agriculture, and mining.

The investment ministry also revealed that they are working and planning to revive the investment corner program on national television (SSBC) to discuss opportunities to attract both private and public investors and also planning to construct an investment tower.

Minister Mathok said lack of peace will affect the investment in South Sudan and further urged the youth in the country to stop violence to ensure a conducive environment for investors.

“Let us stop trouble, let us stop thinking of war, and let us stop thinking of the destruction of the government because insecurity does not go completely with investment. The fact that guns are moving around in the city, the men in uniform moving around, and military tanks moving around can be very threatening to investors to invest in the country,” he stressed.

According to the Investment ministry, most investors have expressed interest to invest in South Sudan but have been frustrated by insecurity.