Uganda-South Sudan Business Forum Kicks off in Juba

The Uganda-South Sudan first-ever business forum officially commences today as Kampala and Juba look into accelerating trade cooperation.

A dinner was held Monday evening at the Palm Africa Hotel in Juba to welcome the Ugandan delegation.

Uganda's Ambassador to S. Sudan Gen. Ronnie Balya hosted the event which was attended by the South Sudan Trade Minister Kuol Mawien, diplomats and the private sector.

The business, which ends tomorrow -- is being held at Beijing Hotel, Juba.

It is running under the theme ‘Enhancing Bilateral Trade and Investment through Industrialisation and Infrastructure Development.

It is an initiative by of Uganda's Embassy in South Sudan (Juba), the Embassy of South Sudan in Uganda (Kampala) in conjunction with the ministries of Foreign Affairs and the private sectors from both countries.

"This Business Forum is a private sector-driven event which will engage both the public sector and business partners from both countries through information sharing, working sessions, business-to-business interactions, Government to Business interactions and a business exhibition to showcase South Sudan and Uganda business companies," officials have said.

"It will focus on solutions to business challenges and opportunities to boost trade and investment relations between private and public sector stakeholders."

South Sudan is one of Uganda’s biggest trading partners with trade volumes amounting to over $400 million dollars and officials says this Business Forum aims at increasing trade volumes to 1 billion dollars annually.

Some of the expected outcomes of the business forum include credible first-hand information on trade and investment in both countries, a comprehensive understanding of regulatory frameworks, taxation, and legal regimes between both countries to ease trade and an overview of investment opportunities for businessmen and women.