Deng Deng Nhial says an effective management and development of South Sudan's vast resources is vital for the country to achieve sustained economic growth. Victor Besa / The National.
Deng Deng Nhial says an effective management and development of South Sudan's vast resources is vital for the country to achieve sustained economic growth. Victor Besa / The National.
Deng Deng Nhial says an effective management and development of South Sudan's vast resources is vital for the country to achieve sustained economic growth. Victor Besa / The National.
Deng Deng Nhial says an effective management and development of South Sudan's vast resources is vital for the country to achieve sustained economic growth. Victor Besa / The National.

South Sudan seeks investment as guns fall silent


Ahmed Maher
  • English
  • Arabic

Political stability and peace are crucial for the world's youngest country after years of struggle to build up state institutions and end tribal violence, South Sudan’s ambassador in Abu Dhabi said.

In an interview with The National, Deng Deng Nhial said corruption was also one of the biggest obstacles to the development of a country rich in natural resources, which should be spent properly on infrastructure and basic services.

Mr Nhial, in office since 2016, said his country regarded the UAE as a role model for economic and technological success.

We will learn a lot from the UAE and build on the agreements President Salva Kiir Mayardit signed during his visit to Abu Dhabi in 2019

“The UAE’s achievements in infrastructure, basic services, trade, tourism and technology are top-notch," Mr Nhial said.

"We will learn a lot from the UAE and build on the agreements President Salva Kiir Mayardit signed during his visit to Abu Dhabi in 2019.”

On that visit, Mr Kiir signed deals on investment, avoiding double taxation and visa waivers for UAE citizens.

After two decades of war, South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011, after a landslide referendum result.

But peace was short-lived.

Since then, South Sudan has been torn apart by a civil war which began in 2013 after Mr Kiir sacked vice president Riek Machar.

The men belong to the influential Dinka and Nuer ethnic tribes, respectively.

They signed a peace accord in 2018 and formed a government of national unity in February 2020, ending a war that is estimated to have killed more than 400,000 people.

The conflict uprooted a quarter of South Sudan’s population of 12 million people, ruined its agriculture and battered the oil-based economy.

Despite the peace deal, the UN says violence is still raging in parts of the country.

“Political stability is first and foremost," Mr Nhial said. "We have relative peace now.

"As stipulated in the 2018 agreement we have to establish state parliaments and governments, cantonments for a big unified army.

"This is a vast country that has 64 tribes."

Obstacles to economic growth

Mr Nhial, who was born during a civil war in 1961, said three things were needed to attract foreign investors to a stable South Sudan and gain their trust.

“We need to have a good infrastructure, good education and a digital economy to fight corruption," he said.

"We have a 2030 vision that will see free-trade zones, a new capital city in Ramciel, which means let’s meet in the middle thanks to its strategic, central position and the nature of its flat land."

"We need to have good infrastructure, good education and a digital economy to fight corruption. We have a 2030 vision that will see free trade zones, a new capital city in Ramciel. Ambassador Deng Deng Nhial

The dilapidated infrastructure, mainly as a result of decades of war, has been identified as the biggest hindrance to economic growth in the land-locked country.

South Sudan will need more than $10 billion to build and upgrade about 10,000 kilometres of roads, the Ministry of Transport said.

The African Development Bank estimates there are about 35 metres of paved road for every 1,000 residents, compared with an average of 128 metres in cities in the Sub-Sahara region and 700 metres in the low-income countries of the developing world.

Mr Nhial said that effective management and development of the country’s vast resources was vital to achieve sustained growth as the economy has been badly hit by war, hyperinflation and Covid-19.

He said South Sudan wanted to diversify its revenue by adopting a mechanised agriculture economy, because most of the population depended on farming for their livelihood.

“We can grow any plant in South Sudan as 96 per cent of the land is arable, we have the mineral resources and the water," Mr Nhial said.

"We have the oil and 22 minerals, including gold. Mining is big in South Sudan.

“We also have an impressive wildlife of 13 reserves and eight national parks, which will become a key national income revenue from tourism.

"We will build hotels, golf courses and restaurants. We are very ambitious.”

Oil revenue from the production of about 500,000 barrels a day account for 98 per cent of state revenue.

Since independence, Juba has contracted oil sales worth $2.14bn, the latest statistics last year by the International Monetary Fund show.

The local currency has plunged since the outbreak of the 2013 civil war.

The South Sudanese pound has depreciated to 176 to the US dollar, compared with 2.92 to eight years ago.

The severe depreciation increased inflation to an estimated 31.1 per cent in 2020.

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Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS

6.30pm: Emirates Holidays Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Lady Snazz, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).

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UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
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Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Dates for the diary

To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:

  • September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
  • October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
  • October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
  • November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
  • December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
  • February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
Defence review at a glance

• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”

• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems

• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.

• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%

• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade

• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels

PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES

Saturday (UAE kick-off times)

Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)

Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)

West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)

Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)

Sunday

Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)

Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)

Everton v Liverpool (10pm)

Monday

Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)

Traits of Chinese zodiac animals

Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent   

UK-EU trade at a glance

EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years

Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products

Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries

Smoother border management with use of e-gates

Cutting red tape on import and export of food

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Gran Gala del Calcio 2019 winners

Best Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Best Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)
Best Referee: Gianluca Rocchi
Best Goal: Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria vs Napoli)
Best Team: Atalanta​​​​​​​
Best XI: Samir Handanovic (Inter); Aleksandar Kolarov (Roma), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Joao Cancelo (Juventus*); Miralem Pjanic (Juventus), Josip Ilicic (Atalanta), Nicolo Barella (Cagliari*); Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Duvan Zapata (Atalanta)
Serie B Best Young Player: Sandro Tonali (Brescia)
Best Women’s Goal: Thaisa (Milan vs Juventus)
Best Women’s Player: Manuela Giugliano (Milan)
Best Women’s XI: Laura Giuliani (Milan); Alia Guagni (Fiorentina), Sara Gama (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Elisa Bartoli (Roma); Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus); Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Ilaria Mauro (Fiorentina), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus)

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The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The bio

Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.

Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.

Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.

Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

LA LIGA FIXTURES

Thursday (All UAE kick-off times)

Sevilla v Real Betis (midnight)

Friday

Granada v Real Betis (9.30pm)

Valencia v Levante (midnight)

Saturday

Espanyol v Alaves (4pm)

Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7pm)

Leganes v Real Valladolid (9.30pm)

Mallorca v Barcelona (midnight)

Sunday

Atletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid (4pm)

Real Madrid v Eibar (9.30pm)

Real Sociedad v Osasuna (midnight)

MATCH INFO

Euro 2020 qualifier

Ukraine 2 (Yaremchuk 06', Yarmolenko 27')

Portugal 1 (Ronaldo 72' pen)

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

Walls

Louis Tomlinson

3 out of 5 stars

(Syco Music/Arista Records)

David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

BRIEF SCORES

England 228-7, 50 overs
N Sciver 51; J Goswami 3-23

India 219, 48.4 overs
P Raut 86, H Kaur 51; A Shrubsole 6-46

England won by nine runs

While you're here
TOURNAMENT INFO

Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier

Jul 3- 14, in the Netherlands
The top two teams will qualify to play at the World T20 in the West Indies in November

UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (captain), Chamani Seneviratne, Subha Srinivasan, Neha Sharma, Kavisha Kumari, Judit Cleetus, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Heena Hotchandani, Namita D’Souza, Ishani Senevirathne, Esha Oza, Nisha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi