Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The Minister of Trade and Industry Atong Kuol has confirmed that the National Ministry is actively working on a national framework for food subsidy strategies aimed at stabilizing prices and easing the cost of basic commodities across South Sudan.
According to a Tuesday statement posted on the official Facebook page of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Minister made the remarks during a high-level meeting in Juba with a delegation from Lakes State, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening state-level economic development and market stability.
The Lakes State delegation was led by the State Minister of Trade and Industry, Rebecca Enock Macuoc, and included the Chairperson of the State Chamber of Commerce, Malok Marial Kuctiel.
During the meeting, Minister Rebecca Enock outlined key challenges facing the state’s trade sector, particularly the high cost of commodities and the absence of a permanent presence of the National Bureau of Standards (NBS).
She called for national intervention to support commodity subsidization programs and to deploy NBS personnel, laboratory facilities, and testing equipment to protect consumers and ensure product quality.
In response, Minister Atong acknowledged the urgency of the concerns and said the food subsidy framework is currently being harmonized by a dedicated national committee, following consultations with the national business community, with the aim of stabilizing the entire national market.
She further reiterated the Ministry’s strategic focus on empowering states and administrative areas to align their trade policies with national objectives, in order to promote economic cohesion and create a unified business environment across the country.
Minister Atong also underscored the importance of security in sustaining trade and economic activity, commending Lakes State Governor, H.E. Gen. Rin Tueny Mabor, for efforts to stabilize the security situation in the state.
She reportedly said that a secure environment is essential for business growth and market stability.
The Minister also announced that the National Ministry of Trade and Industry, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will convene a National Consultative Conference for all State and Administrative Area Ministers of Trade in early January 2026 in Juba.
The conference is expected to address policy harmonization, market regulation, and strategies to strengthen trade and consumer protection nationwide.
The Ministry said the engagements reflect its ongoing commitment to inclusive economic development and coordinated market interventions across South Sudan.
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