S. Sudan to import tax exempted goods from Sudan

JUBA, May 9 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan on Wednesday said it agreed with neighboring Sudan to import tax exempted goods that will help boost already existing trade between the two countries.

The head of the South Sudan business union, Ayii Duang Ayii, said they agreed with authorities in Sudan not to impose tax on goods purchased from Sudan.

"We agreed that they will not impose tax on the goods we purchase from Sudan. The goods that we cannot get in Sudan will be transported through Sudan without paying anything," Ayii said in Juba upon returning from the Sudanese capital of Khartoum.

He disclosed that they discussed re-opening of trade routes between the border areas of the two countries and also engaged Sudanese business community to start bringing goods to South Sudan.

Ayii revealed that they also discussed with Sudan on the possibility of purchasing tractors at affordable rates and investment in the in the vast country's agriculture with only four percent of its arable land under use.

He also said trade will be facilitated between the two countries through river transport, air and road.

South Sudan's economy has been battered amid hyperinflation due to the ongoing more than four years conflict which displaced over 4 million people from their homes into neighboring countries as refugees.

The violence was caused by power struggle between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar who leads the Sudan People's Liberation Army-in opposition (SPLA-IO) in rebellion. Enditem