Over 60 South Sudanese manufacturers and entrepreneurs gathered in Juba on Tuesday to showcase their products in an ongoing trade exhibition.
The third ‘Made in South Sudan’ exhibition was launched this morning at Nyakuron Cultural Center in Juba and will till Sunday.
The exhibitors display some of the products being made in South Sudan such as refined gum Arabic, agricultural products, honey, bottled water, body lotions and alcoholic beverages among others.
Speaking to Eye Radio, Dr. Christine Ijino, the Director General for Trade and Exhibitions at the Ministry of Trade says some states were not able to participate due to inconvenience in communication.
The states that have failed to participate in the exhibition are Western Equatoria and Northern Bahr el Ghazal.
“Few states managed to come and others apologized they did not get the information early even although we sent them information through their coordination offices but the message did not reach them timely,” she said.
“Some of them called yesterday and apologized that they did not get the information about the exhibition.”
“But next year they will participate fully, and they have a lot of products in Western Equatoria to exhibit. Even the Minister from Northern Bahr el Ghazal gave the same reason for their absence.”
Some of the exhibitors who spoke to Eye Radio say the event will help them market their products.
“This exhibition is actually very important because it exposes our products, as we are also trying to market our products out there, we want to market why natural products are important,” said one of the manufacturers.
“It is very important for women, like when a woman newly gives birth it gives a good nice smell.”
“It is a way of exposure it is a way of your item being sold out because if your going to be locked in with your products you will not get the market for it.”
The third made in South Sudan exhibition is being held under the theme, “Together Promoting South Sudan Business and Industrial Development.”