Kenyan traders tap into booming south Sudan market

Creating a seamless transport system is another key trade facilitator that will open up region.

This would pose the biggest threat to cargo airlines profit from the poor state of the roads that link Kenya to Sudan.

Construction of the planned railway line linking Juba to Mombasa and another to Malaba is expected to quadruple the volume of cargo plying the route from its present 80,000 tonnes at present. Lack of a procurement law is another Achilles heel for the government of South Sudan.

During the East African Procurement forum mid this year, Christopher Lobojo, director general of the procurement policy unit said it would be difficult to enforce discipline and international procurement best practices without procurement law in place. A law is expected to be in place by 2010.

However, rule of law is still a concern that needs to be addressed.

Players are keenly awaiting the 2011 referendum, which will determine which direction South Sudan will take.

“We have seen South Sudan thrive in just four years since the peace accord. If the referendum is successful, Juba will be a force to reckon with,” said Mr Simiyu, the South Sudan manager for Astral Aviation. .