Nyakuron Cultural Center 27 November to 3 December 2007
By Cecilia Nanfuka
The Juba International Trade and Investment Exhibition began quietly with very
little attention from the residents of Juba. Attendance on Day 2 found many
of the stands empty.
The organiser of the event, Charleston Travel, was promoting two private carriers
– African Express Airways and Marsland Aviation. They have flights from
Nairobi, Kenya 5 days a week and are popular among travellers travelling within
the two countries.
In the Telecommunications sector was Celtel Sudan who recently became part of
the One Network offer that has seen East Africa linked to Central Africa as
well as West Africa. Celtel is soon going to be re-branded under the name Zain.
Zain (formerly MTC) is beginning to make its presence felt within South Sudan
to increase its coverage by striving to build a media gateway in Juba. This
will allow for an independent exchange that will ease network congestion currently
experienced. Furthermore, calls will become cheaper under local call rates,
instead of relying on Kenya and Uganda.
Construction and building had Welding Alloys Ltd, a Kenyan company with a presence
within the COMESA region, seeking development partners within southern Sudan
in the aspect of building materials associated with welding consumables, equipment
and accessories.
Insteel Limited is a Kenyan company involved in steel pipe and section manufacturing
and aims to expand into southern Sudan’s booming construction.
Oil industry was represented by Total who is resuming social assessments in
Jonglei State, in particular north Bor. This area lies in Block B which was
recently lost by the White Nile Company in a highly contested debate over exploration
rights and ownership. Total is now present in Juba but looking forward to a
presence within Jonglei state very soon once the legal matters are completed.
To this end, Total is keen to fund sustainable development programs by engaging
with indigenous NGOs within Jonglei State to fulfil local needs as part of its
corporate social responsibility objectives.
HASS Petroleum was also displaying the other side to the oil industry, that
is, the marketing of oil products.
Many south Sudanese seek higher and professional qualification in the neighbouring
countries and beyond. Now, Kenya Accountants and Secretaries National Examinations
Board (KASNEB) are offering an opportunity to engage in long distance learning
through Kenyan training institutions via the Kenya Consulate in Juba.
Examinations courses on offer range from accountancy, Information Technology
(IT) to management.
Day 3 on the official opening, exhibitors were disappointed to hear that the
President of Southern Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit was unable to attend and in
place his deputy, Vice-President Riek Machar would oversee proceedings.
Lulu Life products are by Lulu Works Trust Sudan who have been in operation
since 2000. They support women in the production and processing of unrefined
wild-crafted South Sudan shea butter nuts (referred to as lulu in Arabic). One
of the main goals of is to economically empower rural women through supporting
them with technical as well as processing skills in the production of shea butter
products.
Shea butter from Sout