Dr. Riek Machar, the South Sudanese Vice President [©Gurtong]
By Waakhe Simon Wudu
JUBA, 27th January 2012 [Gurtong] - South Sudanese Vice President (VP), Dr. Riek Machar has urged the World Bank and the private sector to encourage and facilitate investment in the Agricultural sector.
Agriculture is believed to be the second revenue earner of South Sudan next to oil production that has been temporarily shut down by the government due to disagreements with Sudan.
While opening a workshop organized by the World Bank yesterday in Juba, Dr. Riek urged cooperation from the private sector towards intensifying agricultural growth in the country.
"We try to encourage people to invest in Agriculture; be it in sugar production or even in cereals, we really request the private sector to support the government through in joint investments,” the Vice President said.
“The public sector wants to be assured that whatever they produce can reach the market. So roads are important, river transport is eminent too,” Dr. Riek added.
Mr. Machar assured the investors of the government’s commitment and efforts to create and ensure a persuasive ground for agricultural growth.
"We realise that we don’t have an Act on this. We don’t also rely on international norms of partnership or how it will be done. However, we will soon have an Act that can encourage the private sector to invest together with the government," Dr. Riek said.