By Clare Sanyu
The Rt. Hon. 1st Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, has encouraged South Sudan to join the Customs Union to reduce administrative and financial costs and enhance economic cooperation with her neighbors.
This, according to the Minister, will also enable the young nation to benefit from preferential rates, the construction of Phase 2 of the One Stop Border project, harmonized processes, data exchange, and the use of technology.
Kadaga, who was speaking at a high-level mission meeting between delegations from South Sudan and Uganda at Nimule Town Council, Southern Sudan, also highlighted areas of improvement that could bolster trade between the two countries.
These included standardization of common services, construction of the One Stop Border Post and weighbridge at the South Sudan border, and setting up a Uganda National Bureau of Standards laboratory at Elegu.
Kadaga further called for the sensitization of cross-border traders to ensure business growth. She also intimated that the government is considering increasing the simplified trade regime threshold from 2,000 to 5,000 USD.
During the meeting, Simon Tumwesigye, the Ag. Manager Customs Northern Region at the Uganda Revenue Authority commended Uganda’s trade with South Sudan, which has grown over the years.
He, however, noted that it is challenged by the lack of a declaration system in South Sudan to facilitate the exchange of electronic information, early closure of the border due to insecurity in South Sudan, different tax structures that encourage smuggling, the lack of a weighbridge, and limited understanding of customs processes by clearing agents.
In her remarks, Annette Ssemuwemba Mutaawe, the Deputy Secretary General of the EAC, called for deliberate efforts in implementing the agreed actions by all stakeholders.
“We shall engage the authorities in South Sudan on the integration and rollout of systems, construction of facilities that favor cross-border women, and sensitization for business growth,” she committed.
Meanwhile, the engagement was also attended by members of the East African Community Secretariat and East African Legislative Assembly, border agencies from both countries, trade representatives, and associations.
