The Republic of South Sudan is participating in the Expo 2020 Dubai for the first time in its history, as preparations are being made in its booth, which is located next to the wings of China, Honduras and Norway in the "Opportunities" area. South Sudan is a land of opportunity, because of its rich natural resources, economic potential and a strategic geographical location in the center of the African continent.

The Republic of South Sudan shares borders of approximately 2,000 km with Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, the Congo and Central Africa. And its area extends to more than 700 thousand square kilometers of the total area. South Sudan is a landlocked country located in northeastern Africa, and declared independence in 2011, and its current capital, Juba, is also its largest city. According to data from the Dubai Chamber, the exports of South Sudan amounted to $ 1.662 billion in 2018, and the imports amounted to about $ 468 million, pointing out that the exports of South Sudan to the UAE in the same year reached $ 165.2 million, while its imports from the UAE amounted to $ 48.4 million.

Natural Resources

South Sudan is a member state of the United Nations, and a member of the African Union, which is a region rich in natural resources. Petroleum is one of the most important exports, according to data from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the population of South Sudan has reached about 13.4 million, and the gross domestic product has reached about $ 3.7 billion. The per capita gross national product is approximately $ 275. The economic growth rate reached about 7.9% during the past year, the inflation rate is 24.4%, and the unemployment rate is 12.7%. The local currency in South Sudan is the pound, and the exchange rate reaches 130.3 pounds per US dollar.

South Sudan is one of the most oil-dependent countries in the world, with oil representing almost total exports, and more than 40% of GDP. The per capita GDP of the country in 2014 amounted to about 1111 dollars, but fell to less than 200 dollars in 2017.

With regard to the non-oil sectors, livelihoods are concentrated in agriculture and pastoral work. With lower consumption, non-oil exports and investment, oil production provides immediate sources of growth in southern Sudan. As oil fields are repaired and production resumed, oil production is not expected to reach pre-crisis levels in the short term.

Economic sectors

Data of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce revealed that the main economic sectors in the South Sudan economy are transportation, which represents about 10% of the national product, followed by the retail sector at 9%, then the construction sector at 7%, then agriculture 3%, then industry 2%. South Sudan is ranked 185 in the list of ease of business, as the most important aspects of strength in the economy of South Sudan are the large population and available workforce, natural resources, and the availability of oil, which is the main ingredient in promoting economic reform in the country, and the economy holds many opportunities in the field Agriculture, as 90% of the land in South Sudan is arable.

The World Bank estimates that the economy in South Sudan recovered with a growth rate of 3.2% in FY2018 / 2019, from a contraction of 3.5% during the previous fiscal year.

The inflation rate reached about 60.8% during the fiscal year 2018/2019, from 121.4% during the fiscal year 2017/2018, indicating that the gap between the official exchange rate and the parallel market price remains high and is increasing. From 65% in December 2018 to 85% in June 2019. The current account deficit of the external sector, excluding grants, has increased to 6.5% of GDP during the fiscal year 2018/2019 from 4.5% in fiscal year 2017 / 2018.

Combating poverty

According to the World Bank, South Sudan faces the challenge of investing in sectors that will have the most direct impact on reducing poverty and building resilience, and levels of poverty are expected to remain high with declining food security and limited access to basic services throughout the country, noting 82% of the population of South Sudan is poor according to the latest international estimates.

With regard to the non-oil economic sectors, South Sudan exports timber to the international market. Central Equatoria is famous for growing tea and natural trees, and there are some wood plantations, and the oldest forest plantation reserve is located in Cowley, Lego, Western Lucca and Noni.

The Nile River is one of the main natural features of South Sudan, which has many of its tributaries in the country, as the region also contains many natural resources, such as oil, iron ore, copper, chrome ore, zinc, mica, silver and gold.

Juba ... an ideal destination for tourists

The city of Juba, located on the banks of the Nile River, which is expanding very quickly, is an ideal destination for tourists and visitors. The banks of the Nile are the greenest places in Juba, and can be seen from the Nile Bridge or get closer to nature through a boat trip along the river. Tourists usually like to go up the Cougar Mountain hill, as it takes 25 minutes to climb to the summit to enjoy many wonderful scenes, and reach the summit to see the stunning views of the city stretching down below. And tourists can go outside the city of Juba and get to know the wildlife, such as watching giraffes, deer, crocodiles and monkeys that play in the mango trees, especially when visiting the "Bandanglio" National Park.

South Sudan's imports from the UAE amounted to 48.4 million dollars.

Oil represents almost total exports and 40% of GDP.