On Monday 4 February Acting Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Hon. Mary Jervas Yak, launches South Sudan’s Customs Development and Trade Facilitation Programme. This pivotal project supports South Sudan’s pursuit of a diversified national economy and integrated regional trade and investment.
The Launch, hosted by the South Sudan Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, extends and deepens the support that TradeMark Africa ( TMA ) have been providing to the South Sudan Customs Service, funded by the UK Government, since 2011 in order to boost non-oil revenues and facilitate trade.
Since work began to develop the Customs Service, there has been a significant rise in customs revenue. Between July 2011 and July 2012, customs revenue increased by over 1600%. This work comes at a critical time, with Government focusing on diversifying income away from oil revenues.
The development of an effective and transparent customs services has focused on making customs processes at South Sudan’s most important border station, Nimule, transparent and predictable. This work at Nimule will act as a case study which will inspire further reform.
TradeMark Africa (TMA) is also working with the Bureau of Standards in order to reduce harmful imports, such as out of date or fake medicines which may be harmful to health and pose a significant risk to people in South Sudan today.
Hon. Mary Jervas Yak will be joined by Brigadier Akuilino Atak Akech, representing the Director General of Customs; Joy Hutcheon, Director General Country Programmes at the UK Department for International Development; and Eugene Torero, Country Director, TradeMark Africa (TMA) .
To find out more about the programme, visit: https://www.trademarkafrica.com/category/projects/projects-south-sudan/
The UK is providing funding of GBP 7 million (nearly 11 million USD) over a three year period.This support will lead to the development of modern customs systems and a reduction in border and regulatory impediments to business and investment. The programme will see private sector and civil society organisations able to positively influence trade policies, customs reform and trade facilitation, and the development of a trade integration strategy.The project is being implemented by Trademark East Africa (TMA).
NOTE TO EDITORS
For further information please contact :
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Belinda Volans,
British Embassy Spokesperson
British Embassy Juba, Thom ping, Juba, South Sudan
Tel: 0912168301
Email: b-volans@dfid.gov.uk
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Eugene Torero,
Country Director, South Sudan TradeMark Africa (TMA) Country Programme,
Hamza Inn, Juba Town, Juba.
Tel: +211 956 178 157
Email: eugene.torero@trademarkea.com[/su_column][su_column size=”1/3″][/su_column][/su_row]
Source: TradeMark Africa (TMA)
TradeMark Africa (TMA) is an aid-for-trade organisation that was established with the aim of growing prosperity in East Africa through increased trade. TradeMark Africa (TMA) operates on a not-for-profit basis and is funded by the development agencies of the following countries: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, UK, and USA. TradeMark Africa (TMA) works closely with East African Community (EAC) institutions, national governments, the private sector and civil society organisations.
