Looking to do business in south Sudan? We speak to one of the experts
With the relatively peaceful conclusion of the referendum vote on the future of southern Sudan, many business people have started looking at opportunities in region. How we made it in Africa interviewed David Raad, founder of consultancy David Raad and Associates, about how to do business in southern Sudan.
While the people of southern Sudan are anticipating their own independent state, many business people are eyeing opportunities in the region.
What are the most common misconceptions about southern Sudan held by foreign business people?
Probably the biggest misconceptions about southern Sudan are related to the leaders’ attitudes toward business and the laws and systems in place to protect business. I hear the same questions from almost every client I advise: Will the government expropriate my property, business or investment? Do I need to have some government figure in my business? The answer to both of these questions is no.
On government expropriation and in my experience in the southern Sudanese marketplace, I have yet to see the government even ‘threaten’ to get involved in a businesses’ endeavours. The southern Sudanese leadership has always been careful to avoid this notion and it has served them well.
Regarding involving some government or political figure in a business venture for better protection and access, this is a very dangerous and ill-advised path. Frankly, it’s not necessary and I have yet to see one example that has worked to anyone’s satisfaction.
The civil laws of southern Sudan have existed in one shape or form since the 1950s and are based on English Common Law. Though the laws themselves need updating (the process has been underway for several years), the concept and practice of lawful exchanges between individuals and businesses is clearly understood. Contracts can be enforced, differences can be adjudicated, and rights can be protected. In short, the courts can be slow, but they work.
An article published in The Economist last year alleged that the south Sudanese are among Africa’s least reliable workers. How accurate is this?
One of the businesses my wife and I started and ran in southern Sudan was an employment agency. We launched it as a side project because my clients just had trouble finding the right folks for jobs in most industries. We believed we could make a difference and we did.
We vetted and interviewed any educated individual, regardless if we had a client that needed their skills. We built a database of smart, qualified and ambitious Sudanese ready to work. I think we found jobs for more than 500 or 600 folks in the Juba area alone. Unfortunately, the business had to end for two reasons: an NGO client of ours lured away the key management we had spent months training, and my wife gave birth our son and couldn’t devote the necessary time to train a replacement.
But to the point of your question. Imagine a working environment that for nearly 50 years has had no innovation, no steady employers, no training and no tangible experiences that the working population can use as a standard to gauge performance. It’s been a subsistence life for almost everyone for nearly their entire adult lives; either living in refugee camps or living under the shadow of an occupying (Northern) government intent on establishing a client state. It has not been an environment that fosters a competitive work ethic and I think The Economist missed that point.
That said, there are good, hard-working, talented and successful workers in this market, but businesses will be competing with “non-productive” entities (NGOs, the UN, etc) for them. This will prove expensive because the NGOs and the UN are prepared to pay a premium because it’s not their money.
How secure is an investment in southern Sudan?
While there are not laws in place yet to cover every industry or business activity, there is a widely held concept of fairness. If a business is conducting their activities in an ethical manner, they are going to be “protected.” If a business attempts to circumvent the law or engages in unethical behaviour, it is probably going to fail, not because of government intervention, but because it will run out of folks that want to be associated or trade with it.
What are the major risks of doing business in southern Sudan?
It is an inhospitable area. Malaria and other debilitating diseases are widespread and deadly. Medical services are limited. Culturally the southern Sudanese people are warm, welcoming and very law abiding, so foreigners’ physical safety isn’t really a problem. Robbery is very uncommon although there were a few limited instances of robbery of foreigners several years ago.
Is it necessary for foreign companies to partner with a local firm when doing business in southern Sudan?
It is not necessary for a foreign company to partner with a Sudanese entity to do business in southern Sudan. The law states that a company must have a southern Sudanese shareholder and this need can be satisfied through a nominee shareholder’s agreement with any competent Sudanese lawyer.
Only after reviewing the business and industry of a foreign investment would I consider advising whether or not to partner with a local. For some efforts, this can be a sensible path. For larger projects I have counselled getting into some limited partnerships with the communities in which they reside. It can be somewhat of a chore for some managers to keep up with, but the time investment has always paid dividends for my clients.
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M&O Trading Company Ltd. Located in Juba is fully licensed to help you right away.
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Dear Sir,
we are Iranian Transit/trading company and seeking partner for marketing of wheat and wheat flour in Class I,II,III,IIII and IIIII.
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Dears Good Day !!!
We are a south African Export and Import Company.We are currently busy looking for a strong partner(local)in South Sudan in view to represent or work for us,in what concern any grown support we need.
We can provide food stuffs and constructions materials such like(painting) and accessories.We have a valid experience from war countries such like Angola where we have companies that have done so far well for the last past ten years (during and past war period)Our products are sourced from the following counties: South Africa,Brazil,Argentina,India,Germany,Holland,Denmark,Uruguay etc…
Please,if you are interested kindly contact us on:
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Regards.
1 WOULD LIKE TO DO BUSINESS IN SOUTH SUDAN COMPANY
i’m form isreal i wanna do some business
Sir
We want to export jute shoes at sudan
send me your webside to brouse through.
thank you
we are an outdoor advertising agency in south sudan.please contact us on our website.www.impactmedia.info for any marketing of your products
Good day!
I am currently residing in Dubai and working in a MNC bank. I would like to know more information about South Sudan ( Business opportunities, jobs etc). This is an upcoming market where there would be lot of opportunities for starting new business or new foreign companies setting their base in South Sudan. I would like to be a part of it if there is any good opportunity please do let me know. My email address is ashishnichani5@gmail.com
Thanks and Regards
Ashish Nichani
I want to open new busines in south sudan so can some body help me ,
how i can get open a company their
I will like to invest in South Sudan on oil and Road work contact us for serious business investment.Email drjoneshenshaw@yahoo.com
We are a big manufacturer of MDF,Plywood,Particle board etc. We want to start our biz in Africa and middle east ,if you are interested in our products,please contact me anytime.Thanks!
Didi Huang, didi_1013@yahoo.com.cn, Tel:0086 13978377715
I am a Kenyan and would like to sell human Medicine in southern Sudan would you please advice me on the same and if possible how to partner with someone of sudanese nationality with the same interest. Email me at jomachu2006@yahoo.com
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Thank you for the information given,am from kenya and would like to get a company i can work with in order to supply flour and Tea leaves.
Good day
we doing busines in constraction sector our factory produce
all gypsum product like gypsum board, angel frame
gypsum ceiling , powder our factory base in ethiopia
addis ababa and we do all building finishing material
if you want businuss to do us in south Sudan contact me
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00251 911 396565
Hi,
Am from Kenya and run an NGO called Kenya Emergency Rescue Operations(K.E.R.O.),Check us at http://www.kerokenya.org
We are intersted in helping Sudan and especially women and children and have programs and projects dedicated on the same.
We can also help in supplying small business people with most materials and products such as all sorts of food stuffs,electronics,building materials,transport,stationary,clothes,workers..etc
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Best Regards
Are you a serious investor/company looking to do business in South Sudan? Our trading and investment office based in Juba will help your business find the right way to start:
Please Email Us:
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Dear sir,
we are Dutch company called Gea Enterprises our main business trading( export-import), services, manufacturing sent candles. we are looking for opportunities to enter southern Sudan market. you are kindly requested to contact us with your enquiries in details
enabling us to quote a competitive price.
with kind regards,
Ghada saleh
director manger
our email gea.ent@gmail.com
telephon :0031158894217
Assalam o alaikum,
I am looking forward to set up an office for any Sudanese Advertising Agency in Lahore – Pakistan to increase their business volume.
Kindest regards
assalam o alaikum,
Ad agencies of Sudan, interested in extending their business ventures in Pakistan can write to shakeel453@yahoo.com for possibilities and arrangements.
Kind regards
AM a businessman based in LONDON am looking for a business partner to work with in southern Sudan because i want to invest there long term projects.email me on davidsimons34@yahoo.com and we talk more about the opportunities in southern sudan
we are a trading company (import-export) based in Dubai and have also connections to european mkt.We are looking for business opportunities in Southern Sudan for importing;water filters and purifiers,electronics,tyres just to mention but a few.email me on c_amigaus@yahoo.com
We are expereinced management/business consultancy and training service providing consultants who have accomplished many projects in Ethiopia including the 5 kits/manuals that we prepared to the business society in Ethiopia commissioned by the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations.
We want to partner with interested firms in South Sudan. How would this be possible? or Can you contact us any firm interested in this JV?
Thank you,
Bezabih Bekele Tolla
Managing and Owner of Fortune Consulting
Dear Sir/Madame,
I am Supplier of foods& Beverages though my interest is to supply wheat flour, maize flour and Coffee&Tea and bakery Ingredients to southern Sudan. Were the leading suppliers in uganda with a vast experience of the market trends and prices.
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Hello,
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