Dr. Baak Barnaba Chol, the new Minister of Finance and Planning speaks in Juba. (Photo: Obaj Okuj)

South Sudan is set to hold the first National Economic Conference next month with an aim to pave the way for economic transformation, the Minister of Finance and Planning has said.

The highly anticipated four-day event is set to take place in Juba from 4^th September 2023.

Dr Bak Barnaba Chol, says the conference aims to pave the way for economic transformation and enhance the country’s financial situation.

He also pointed out that the conference will be used as a platform to inform the economic sectors, stakeholders and development partners about the status of the public financial reforms.

It will also discuss challenges facing the economy and allow the economic sector and stakeholders to present their views on the economic situation in South Sudan.

According to Dr Bak, the conference will attract experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the country to contribute their valuable insights and ideas.

He added that preparations for the groundbreaking event are already underway.

“We want to inform all the economic sector stakeholders and development partners about the current status of public financial reforms, the achievement we have done so far and the challenge we are facing so this is the first target,” said Dr Bak.

“We want to allow the economic sector and stakeholders to present their views on the main concerns and challenges of the economic situation in South Sudan,” he added.

He stated that the stakeholders will have the opportunity to present proposals in regard to the transformation agenda of the economy.

Minister Bak says the partners will also identify the key policies and priorities to manage the current midterm economic challenges that we are trying to address as the government.

The National Economic Conference will be held under the theme: “Towards a Diversified Inclusive, Sustainable Economic Growth”.