(JUBA) – South Sudan and Pakistan have moved closer to building stronger trade and industry ties following a high level meeting in Juba between the National Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon Atong Kuol Manyang, and the Consul General of Pakistan, His Excellency Shahid Sajjad Hussain.
The talks were held at the close of the week on Friday at the Ministry headquarters and focused on exploring new areas of economic cooperation and strengthening existing bilateral trade relations.
According to the Ministry’s press unit, Pakistan’s Consul General formally extended an invitation to Minister Atong to visit Pakistan for discussions on industrialisation and partnerships in the manufacturing and trade sectors. The visit is expected to open opportunities for South Sudan to learn from Pakistan’s industrial growth model and seek potential investments.
South Sudan’s trade volumes with Pakistan remain relatively modest, but officials say there is growing interest in expanding exchanges in manufactured goods, agricultural products, and light industry. Pakistan has a large textile, cement and pharmaceutical base which could provide useful lessons and opportunities for South Sudan’s emerging industries.
For South Sudan, closer ties with Pakistan could help diversify its economy beyond oil, which still accounts for more than 90 percent of government revenue. Trade Ministry officials said cooperation in manufacturing, processing and industrial training could play a central role in building local capacity and creating jobs.
Pakistan’s interest in South Sudan comes at a time when the government in Juba is encouraging new trade partnerships with Asian economies to reduce dependence on traditional markets.
A Trade Ministry statement released on Friday stated that practical steps, such as establishing business delegations, trade fairs, and sector-specific agreements, will be crucial to moving discussions into concrete results.
Potential Areas of South Sudan-Pakistan Economic Cooperation
| Sector | Opportunities for South Sudan | Pakistan Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture | Processing of crops, modern farming tools | Expertise in seed technology and farm machinery |
| Textiles | Development of local garment industry | Supply of fabrics, training in textile production |
| Pharmaceuticals | Affordable medicines, local production | Export of drugs and technical support |
| Construction | Cement and building materials | Experience in large scale cement production |
| Education/Training | Capacity building in trade and industry | Exchange programmes and training centres |