South Sudanese traders to take part in China's int'l import expo

JUBA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- China has offered opportunities for South Sudanese businesses to showcase their products during the first China International Import Expo, an official said on Thursday.

Zhang Yi, Economic and Commercial Councilor at the Chinese Embassy in South Sudan, said Beijing will sponsor a delegation of South Sudanese traders to visit China.

Zhang said the initiative seeks to enable South Sudanese businesses to explore their export potential and also enhance local production and industries development in South Sudan.

"We hope this kind of cooperation could help South Sudan for its economic diversification, the development of the economy and also the livelihood of the people," he said.

South Sudan's Trade Minister Moses Hassan Tiel said China has become a leading trader partner of the East African nation since it gained independence from Sudan in 2011.

He said the expo will help South Sudanese producers to expand their market share in China.

"We are encouraging our traders especially those who are specialized in trading of unique products such as Gum Arabic, Lulu and other products to heed to this call and promote our products very of charge," Tiel said.

According to statistics from the Chinese embassy in South Sudan, bilateral trade between Beijing and Juba has reached about 12 billion U.S. dollars annually, with 92 percent of that figure being South Sudanese exports to China. Enditem