Hope for a Win-Win as Sudan, South Sudan Launch Free Trade Zone

In an effort to in promote border trade between the two countries, Khartoum and Juba have laid the foundation for a free trade zone in the area of Mokhaleef in El Jebelein locality in White Nile state. The Kosti and El Jebelein free zones were inaugurated, as was the resumption of river traffic between the two countries. It is hoped that the volume of annual trade between the two nations will reach U.S.$3 billion. These developments are as a result of a meeting in Juba on September 12, 2019, where Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and South Sudan President Salva Kiir discussed bilateral relations, as well as the opening of the borders between the two countries. Last week, the Joint Boundary Demarcation Commission between Sudan and South Sudan signed the full delimitation of the boundaries agreed upon between the two countries in the presence of the representative of the African Union Boundary Commission. South Sudan became the newest African state after it became independent from Sudan on July 9, 2011, after years of conflict.

Vehicles loaded with goods to take to Juba and other Southern Sudan towns (file photo).

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