ZimTrade to present South Sudan findings

In conducting the survey, ZimTrade partnered a development consultancy called Africa Corporate Advisors (ACA).

The major objective of the survey was to identify trade and investment opportunities and to recommend market entry strategies for Zimbabwe.

“ZimTrade and ACA are ready to present the survey and recommendations to the Zimbabwe business community.

“In this regard breakfast seminars will be conducted on Tuesday 27 November at Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare and on Thursday 29 November at Bulawayo Rainbow Hotel,” said chief executive Ms Sithembile Philime.

The export promotion agency provides a wide range of services aimed at promoting international trade and the development of the export sector.
South Sudan, which attained independence last year and has its industry and infrastructure underdeveloped following several decades of civil war with the north, is endowed with vast petroleum opportunities.

The country depends largely on imports of goods, services, and capital from the north. It has abundant natural resources and presently produces nearly three quarters of the former Sudan’s total oil output.
South Sudan government derives nearly 98 percent of its budget revenues from oil. Oil is exported  through two pipelines that run to refineriesand shipping facilities at Port Sudan on the Red Sea.

The East African country holds one of the richest agricultural areas in Africa in the White Nile valley, which has fertile soils and abundant water supplies. Presently, the region supports 10-20 million head of cattle. South Sudan also contains large wildlife herds, which could be exploited in the future to attract eco-tourists.

The White Nile has sufficient flow to generate large quantities of hydroelectricity. South Sudan does not have large external debt or structural trade deficits.

The World Bank plans to support investment in infrastructure, agriculture, and power generation. The Government of South Sudan set a target for economic growth of six percent for 2011 and expects 7,2 percent growth by the end of the year.