Day 2 of the investment conference continues *JUBA, 5 December 2013* - The South Sudan Investment Conference is on its second and last day. The conference, the first of its kind since the country got its independence two years ago is attended by more than 400 foreign delegates and 140 local investors, beside Senior Government officials and development partners.
The aim of this conference is to showcase to local, regional and international investors the business and investment opportunities in South Sudan. “The Government of South Sudan is greatly encouraged by the strong interest shown by both domestic and international business community in this Investment Conference. I have been informed that many more businesses, both local and foreign, would have liked to participate but the circumstances could not allow them to come. *President Kiir arriving at the investment Conference* [Photo: Matata Safi] This is indeed a strong vote of confidence in South Sudan and our Government’s policy to build a competitive private sector driven economy – open to both domestic and foreign investors”, the president said in hiskeynote statement<http://www.goss-online.org/magnoliaPublic/en/news/mainColumnParagraphs/011117/content_files/file2/H.E.%20Speech%20at%20the%20Investment%20Confrence%20copy.E.%20Speech%20at%20the%20Investment%20Confrence%20copy.E.%20Speech%20at%20the%20Investment%20Confrence%20copy.pdf>yesterday. South Sudan, he said is ready and open to business. God has blessed us and endowed our young country with vast resources, in terms of fertile lands, forests, water resources, mineral and petroleum resources among others. We must work collectively to exploit these resources for the benefit of our people he added. “The time to invest in South Sudan is now, not tomorrow. Let me also take this opportunity to remind all investors that successful business is about venturing and taking a business risk. Those who wait too long will miss the vast investment opportunities that our country offers”, HE Kiir stressed the urgency for investment in the World’s newest nation. He called for investors and local people to join hands in the quest to develop south Sudan. To our citizens, I say, partner with foreigners and learn all you can about international business and investment practices. To our foreign partners, I say, work with the citizens of South Sudan and benefit from the local knowledge and support for your business, President Kiir noted. He said investment in South Sudan should be a win-win for both our foreign partners and our citizens. *IFC's Country Cordinator Zahia (second left) and other investors during the opening session* [Photo: Matata Safi] The African continent is of high priority to the World Bank said Cheikh Uomar Seydi IFC’s Director for Eastern and southern Africa. Last year only, the World Bank invested $5Billion Us Dollars, a significant business growth in the Continent compared to 164 Billion 10 years ago, explained Mr. Uomar. In South Sudan, he said IFC has been supporting Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs), Private sector as well as working with the Government in putting in place the necessary regulatory and legal frameworks to create supporting investment environment. To demonstrate IFC’s commitment in South Sudan, he said the organization has begun directly investment in the private sector. He said IFC will continue to look for more opportunities for more investment. The US Special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan Donald Booth has urged investors in South Sudan to take advantage of the country’s eligibility to export freely to the American markets through the AGOA intuitive. *Dr. Okurut speaking to a foriegn delegate during the first day of the conference* [Photo: Matata Safi] “South Sudan like any other country has its own challenges, we have gone through some of these challenges and I'm happy we are growing and we will continue to grow” said Dr. Okurut Joseph, founder and Director of De Genesis Medical Services in Juba. He outlined energy and funding as the major bottlenecks affecting investors in South Sudan. *Reported by Matata Safi* “Time to invest in South Sudan is now…” Says President Kiir *JUBA, 4 December 2013* – The President of the Republic, HE Salva Kiir Mayardit is calling on both domestic and foreign investors to take advantage of the existing investment opportunities in the country “now and stop waiting for tommorow". While officially opening a two-day investment conference in Juba, the capital of South Sudan this morning, President Kiir said “Successful business is about venturing and taking risks, those who wait too long may miss out the first investment opportunities that the country offers”. *A cross section of both demoestic and foreign investors taking part in the South Sudan Investment Conference* [Photo: Matata Safi] More details coming soon… South Sudan Investment Conference starts tomorrow *JUBA, 03 November 2013* – Juba International Airport has for the last few days witnessed an increased number of passengers arriving into the country as the clock zeros down to the two-day (December 4-5), investment conference to be held in Juba, South Sudan. The conference has attracted wide interest and more than 400 delegates from 55 countries are expected to attend. An additional 150 are expected from within the country. By the standards of such events these are outstanding figures. The President of the Republic, H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit is expected to deliver the keynote address in the conference to be held at Freedom Hall. *Members of the South Sudan Investment Authority help register investors for the much anticipated conference*. [Photo: Matata Safi] The interest shown in the conference is not without good reason. The target audience and product have been identified. Through the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture the organisers initially identified regional and continental interest. Further, countries outside Africa were prioritized. Evidence of serious interest in investing in South Sudan has already been demonstrated by 40 business proposals already submitted by participants. “South Sudan is a new country with a lot of untapped investment opportunities. For us, it means a new market”, said Liu Qingfeng, the Vice General Manager of Qinhuangdoa TongLian Group, a Chiness ccompany dealing in exporting industries materials and machinery to most Northern and Eastern African countries. The aim of this conference is to showcase to local, regional and international investors the business and investment opportunities in South Sudan thus crafting a clear roadmap for its diversification programme. The conference will additionally, provide a platform for political leaders and decision makers of South Sudan to interact with investors and CEOs to spearhead the transformation process through open dialogue on South Sudan challenges and opportunities. “This investment conference is very important for the region in that it brings about integration of the region. Many South Sudanese investorss will be able to share experiences and ideas with the brothers from the region and beyond”, said Hassan Robleh Mohamoud, Djibouti’s ambassador to South Sudan. he said about six companies from Djibouti will take part in the two-day conference. *A SSIA staff shakes hands with an unidentified investor after his registration at Juba International Airport* [Photo: Matata Safi] The conference, which has been organized by the South Sudan Investment Authority with support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), is expected to promote investment services and not be an end in itself. The conference is expected to offer a special opportunity for partnership between South Sudan businesses and foreign companies. Already, 60 businessmen have been trained on how to create such partnerships through Danish Government funding and they are expected to participate in the Conference. As of today, over 120 delegates had already arrived. *Reported by Matata Safi* -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/SouthSudanKob/CAJb14opHsVT0cKK61NiA%2BaFHCBw%3DhGQU3E%2B%3D_UPX6fviSBCzKA%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
