A warm welcome to you all.

The Embassy of the Republic of South of South Sudan in Uganda is proud to be one of the organisers the Joint South Sudan-Uganda Business Forum, which the first of its kind in our diplomatic bilateral relations.

I wish to express gratitude to my colleague and brother H.E. Brig. Gen. Ronnie Balya, the Ambassador of the Republic of Uganda to the Republic of South Sudan, and our two Ministries of Foreign Affairs for the encouragement and support when the Business Forum was launched in both Juba and Kampala. This is a testament to how strong our bilateral economic, social and cultural ties are.

Our role is to bring the businessmen and women of our two sisterly countries to the forefront of Business that will respond to sustainable business development, integrating sustainability into corporate strategies and good decision making with regards to business between South Sudan and Uganda.

I look forward to the outcome of what I am sure will be a most fruitful business engagement.

Thank you

Amb. Simon Duku Michael

Embassy of South Sudan - Uganda

Greetings from the Uganda Embassy in Juba. The Embassy in collaboration with the South Sudan Embassy in Kampala, supported by the Private Sector Foundation Uganda, and the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Uganda and South Sudan, is proud to be organizing the first-ever South Sudan - Uganda Joint Business Forum and Exhibition.

The Republics of Uganda and South Sudan share strong historical ties, enjoy vibrant diplomatic relations, and flourishing trade. Both countries are member countries of the East African Community (EAC), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI). In addition, both countries are governed by two Liberation Movements that resulted from resistance struggles against bad leadership; with common ideals that focus on the promotion of peace, freedom and prosperity.

Before the war in 2013, Uganda's exports to South Sudan were approaching USD1Bn, but today Uganda's exports to South Sudan are between USD350m and 

USD400m, while South Sudan's exports to Uganda are approximately USD80m - USD100m. Now that peace has returned to South Sudan, I encourage our people to embrace new prospects that will expand our bilateral trade and investment.

This Business Forum is a platform organised to enable the Private Sector in Uganda and South Sudan to meet, network, examine challenges and identify opportunities to expand their businesses and make joint ventures in key sectors and services including Industry, ICT, Agriculture, Minerals, Oil and Gas, Infrastructure, Education, Healthcare and Financial Services.

I look forward to welcoming you in Juba and wish you a successful and productive Business Forum.

Sincerely,

H.E Brig. Gen. Ronnie Balya 'ndc'

Ambassador of Uganda to the Republic of South Sudan.

OBJECTIVES

To create an enabling platform that allows the South Sudan - Uganda public and private sectors to discuss business challenges, identify opportunities, share experiences and create business-to-business networks.

• To establish a South Sudan - Uganda Joint Business Forum
• To raise awareness about investment and business opportunities in both countries
• To boost bilateral trade and investment flow
• To showcase the Uganda and South Sudan private sectors through a business exhibition
• To facilitate public-private sector dialogue to solve business hurdles between Uganda and South Sudan

WHY ATTEND

Advocate

Bring private sector issues of concern, before officials, policymakers and decision-makers from Uganda and South Sudan Governments.

Network

With delegates across several sectors, and explore strategic partnerships and joint ventures

Explore

New business and investment opportunities for your organisation in sector-specific sessions

Showcase

Products and services at the Business Exhibition, and make direct sales

Engage

Set up private meetings with identified partners and investors with counterparts in areas of common business interest

Identify

Concrete interventions and solutions that will promote trade and investment between Uganda and South Sudan

Learn

From sector experts in various thematic areas, including the legal and regulatory policies in Uganda and South Sudan

Share

Trade and investment concerns and challenges with high-profile government officials, on hand, to respond

The Forum will feature:

Panel Discussions

Speakers and panellists will include private sector business leaders, technical experts, academia, donors and senior Uganda and South Sudan Officials, with informative and relevant discussions on 4 Key Sectors:

-      Challenges of Doing Business

-      Bilateral Trade and Infrastructure

-      Agrobusiness

-      Finance and Investment

Each panel discussion will conclude with an open floor question and answer session to engage the audience. 

Presentations

A cross-section of speakers from the private sector and Government will make detailed presentations on contemporary topics that focus on how best to exploit investment opportunities and overcome bottlenecks to bilateral trade between Uganda and South Sudan. These will include presentations on:

-      Security for Business: Ensuring a Safe Environment for Business

-      Invest in Uganda: An Attractive Investment Destination

-      Invest in South Sudan

-      Economic Integration in The East African Community

-      Visit Uganda: The Pearl of Africa

Business to Business (B2B) Meeting Rooms and Sessions

B2B meetings are designed for Forum Participants to meet the right people, 

build connections and generate real prospects for new clients and partnerships. Visit and interact in the sector-designated Community rooms prior to the Business Forum, to maximize the impact of your participation in the Forum and to increase your chances of making high-quality business connections.

Business to Government (B2G) Meeting Rooms and Sessions

B2G meetings will give the private sector opportunity to interact directly with approved government representatives on specific business and investor queries in relation to the key development sectors for Uganda and South Sudan.

The following are the Economic Sectors for B2G meetings :

1.    Security

2.    Taxation

3.    Immigration

4.    Infrastructure (Road, Rail, Border Posts, Logistics Hubs and Airports)

5.    Investment Agencies & Public-Private Partnership (PPP)

6.    Minerals, Oil and Gas

7.    Free and Special Economic Zones

Business Exhibition

For registered companies from South Sudan and Uganda to showcase their capabilities, products and services at an exhibition fee of USD 300, payable online at the event website. Visit the Exhibition page to register and view Exhibiting companies.