By Juma John Stephen
JUBA, 23 August 2010 (Gurtong) – The workshop, under the theme “Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) for Trade-related Technical Assistance to Least Developed Countries (LDC) of the world”, was attended by several stakeholders from all the ten states of South Sudan.
The Undersecretary in the GoSS Ministry of Commerce and Industry Chuor Deng Mareng said the integrated initiative is meant to help least developed countries to concentrate resources on private enterprises in order to reduce poverty and to improve the living standards of the local people.
South Sudanese entrepreneurial and industrial sectors are still developing, an indication that the region is moving towards becoming an economically vibrant semi - autonomous region.
“The exercise is in line with the concept of poverty reduction initiative in accordance with the Millennium Development Goal of a poverty free world where citizens are able to cater for their daily living with affordable commodities on global markets”, said the Director General of Trade John Pan Paguir Pan.
He added that the workshop aimed at strengthening the capacity and imparting desired skills into local entrepreneurs to produce goods locally as opposed to imported commodities whose prices are beyond the reach of the local population whose monthly incomes are meager.
“It is our collective responsibility, be it the government, private sector and individuals to ensure that business skills which have been paralysed by the 20 – year civil war is revived for the prosperity of this nation”, said Pan.
The Director General explained that South Sudan’s market is a free market economy hence the government cannot impose laws restricting prices.
“Unless people begin producing local commodities to impact prices on the market, the people will continue buying at the current prices”, he cautioned.
“It would be upon us to utilise the fertile lands for agriculture since the government would never settle all our needs. The role of the government is to provide security and create a conducive atmosphere for its citizens to explore their talents for survival”, he said.