Multiple taxes keep retailers out of business

Victoria Kiden buys goods in Juba and retails to consumers. But as the fuel crisis has pushed the prices of goods up, wholesalers have now sought to deal directly with consumers, she says, pushing her, as have been many other retailers, to the brink of collapse.
“The act has rendered retailers jobless,” Kiden says.
Kiden sells maize flour, potatoes, onions, cooking oil, beans, groundnuts and green vegetables.
She buys her stock from vendors coming from Uganda.
Another retailer, Margaret said that the fuel price has pushed the food prices to double in some places. “The prices of food commodities is not affordable to civil servants in the lower grades,” she said.
Margaret said if food prices keep rising, many would go hungry.
Betty Kwaje, one of the businesspersons doing well, said prices were affected by the referendum.
“The suppliers of the food from the neighboring Countries of Uganda, Kenya and Democratic republic of Congo have cut down on supplies, thinking that insecurity will increase,” she said.
Kwaje said that profits have reduced. She sells her stock in Konyo-Konyo.
In the Customs Market, a 50-kg bag of maize flour is at 120 Sudanese Pounds, up from 50 Pounds in 2007, according to a vendor there, Azelina Zuan.
Azelina said suppliers said they had raised prices in reaction to the increased charges on goods at the multiple road checkpoints along the Nimule-Juba road. Some suppliers said they pay taxes at more than ten check points before goods get to Juba. Azelina said the prices could reduce if government shut down some checkpoints.

Brazil seeks deeper economic ties with South Sudan

Brazil is seeking economic cooperation with the Republic of South Sudan.
The Brazilian Ambassador to Sudan Anthonyo Carlos last week visited Juba, saying he was seeking ways on how the two countries can cooperate and strength bilateral relations and investments.
According to Brazilian ambassador Southern Sudan needs support from the international community in order to catch up with the rest of the worlds in terms of improving local industries.
The official said Brazil will welcome the new state of South Sudan as he met Information Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin.
The flow of investment delegations is on the rise and some officials expect much more investors post-Independence as the world gets confidence in South Sudan.

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