Ethiopia-South Sudan Business Forum held in Juba

Addis Ababa, June 24, 2022 (FBC) – Ethiopian Business Forum was held yesterday in Juba to encourage the Ethiopian Business Community in South Sudan to diversify their business engagements in the country and connect their business with their home country.

Ambassador Nebil Mahdi, in his speech, said that though the Ethiopian and South Sudanese People-to-people relation has a deep historical background, both countries have a lot to accomplish in forming economic ties, which is an important factor in fostering common peace and security as well as in guiding political relations towards effective diplomatic cooperation.

Michael Ladu Allahjabu, Mayor of the Juba City Council, Ocum Genes Karlo, 1st Undersecretary of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Losidik Lukak Legge, Acting Chairperson of the South Sudan National Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture presided at the event, where over 100 participants from different Ethiopian businesses in South Sudan were in attendance.

Michael Ladu said the government remains proud of Ethiopians’ contribution to the liberation movement that earned South Sudan. We will continue to support and offer you spaces to do business in Juba because you are our own brothers and sisters.

Ocum Genes, on his part, urged the Ethiopian business community to expand their businesses into other areas like manufacturing.

He also assured his Ministry’s support to the Ethiopian investors in their engagements that have more roles in promoting the bilateral trade relationship between the two countries.

After the remarks, Ambassador Markos Tekle (Ph.D.) delivered a presentation on South Sudan’s Economic and business climate and Ethiopian business activities in South Sudan.

He has also introduced the main focus of Ethiopia’s economic diplomacy activities in the country.

Moreover, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia South Sudan Ltd and Ethiopian Airlines Juba branch office managers delivered presentations about their respective services and engagements with the Ethiopian business community. The South Sudanese chamber of commerce, industry, and agriculture officials advised the business community on the legal aspects of business in the country.

The Ethiopian business community members have agreed to work on diversifying their businesses, network among themselves as well as assess the opportunities to link businesses between the two sisterly countries.

The business community also requested the mission in Juba to organize similar educative forums and provide support to expand commercial ties with Ethiopia.