(JUBA) – Central Equatoria State has approved a 560 million US dollar investment proposal from Global Trading Commodities Group to build cement and steel rebar plants in Kajo Keji County. The investment is equal to about 3.976 trillion South Sudanese Pounds based on the current rate of 7,100 Pounds to one US dollar.
The decision was made during an extraordinary sitting of the Council of Ministers chaired by the State Governor, Rabi Mujung Emmanuel. The proposal was presented by the State Minister of Trade and Industry, Stephen Lado Onesimo.
Patrick Nyarsuk, the State Minister of Information and Communication, said the company will set up the first major cement production facility in the country. He said GTC is an international firm with operations in mining, infrastructure, financing and general investment.
The planned factory will produce around 300 metric tonnes of cement daily, which adds up to one million metric tonnes a year. It will also include facilities for steel rebar production, which is widely used in construction.
Nyarsuk said the cabinet instructed the Ministry of Trade and Industry to make sure the company delivers on corporate social responsibility commitments. These include building the Juba to Kajo Keji road, repairing roads inside the county and building permanent and mobile health centres.
He said the Ministry of Trade and Industry will work with the Ministry of Industry and Investment and the Ministry of Mining at the national level to ensure the project follows national standards and progresses on schedule.
The State Government said it will continue to promote a business friendly environment and encourage both local and foreign investment. It believes the new facilities could support growth in construction and reduce dependence on imported cement and steel.
If fully implemented, the project is expected to create jobs, boost local infrastructure and improve access to building materials in South Sudan. It may also increase demand for transport, logistics and support services in Central Equatoria.