South Sudan and Uganda Hold Joint Meeting to Discuss Standards and Quality for Cross-Border Trade

By Majur Chol Khor

In a significant step towards improving cross-border trade, the South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) and the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) held a bilateral meeting in Nimule, January 11, 2024. The meeting, co-chaired by Hon. Dr. Kuorwel Kuai Kuorwel and Mr. Nangalama Daniel Richard Makayi, discussed various issues related to standards and quality affecting transboundary trade.

The main focus of the meeting was on cereals, particularly maize grains and maize flour. The participants emphasized the importance of certification and laboratory analysis of maize flour. 

Additionally, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) issues were discussed, including standards requirements for other products such as fruits and vegetables, dairy products, chicken and chicken products, and beverages. Certification for South Sudanese products like dried and salted fish and Teak logs was also addressed.

The meeting concluded with several outcomes and resolutions. Firstly, it was agreed that cereal and cereal products, specifically maize flour, from Uganda must be accompanied by a certification permit from the UNBS. 

South Sudan also requested that other products, including fruits and vegetables, dairy products, chicken and chicken products, fish and fish products, must be accompanied by the SPS certificate from the SPS Competent Authorities in Uganda. The SSNBS will officially communicate the SPS requirements to the Competent Authorities.

To ensure harmonization of sampling, test methods, and certification processes, the two national standards bodies agreed to establish a Technical Team. This team will begin its work immediately and present a report within a month at a meeting to be held in Elegu, Uganda. 

Furthermore, the SSNBS and UNBS agreed to revert back to the East African Community (EAC) Standardisation, Quality Assurance, Metrology, and Testing arrangements after receiving the report from the Joint Technical Team.

During the meeting, South Sudan raised concerns about some traders importing goods from outside the EAC region and re-packaging them in Uganda before exporting them to South Sudan. 

It was decided that products not originating from Uganda but re-packaged there will be subjected to pre-shipment verification of conformity requirements. The timely sharing of information on re-packaged goods was also encouraged.

Another concern raised by South Sudan was the export of certain products to Uganda and other parts of the world without passing through the South Sudan National Bureau of Standards. To address this issue, Uganda agreed to cooperate and request certification or relevant documents from the authorities in South Sudan.

The meeting also addressed the labeling of products as “For Export to South Sudan only.” It was agreed that the labeling should be changed to “For Exports only.” 

The UNBS committed to sharing this concern with other agencies, and the SSNBS will provide a list of companies that have labeled goods for export to South Sudan to coordinate with other stakeholders.

Lastly, it was noted that an MoU was signed between the SSNBS and UNBS in 2017, but it has not been operationalized. Both national standards bodies agreed to review and fully operationalize the MoU.

The SSNBS, established by the SSNBS Act (2012) of the Republic of South Sudan, is a semi-autonomous institution responsible for standards and conformity assessment services. Its aim is to contribute to consumer safety and health security by building effective consumer product safety frameworks based on the Imports and Exports Policy (2012). 

The SSNBS strives to improve market performance, facilitate trade, and protect the health, safety, security of the population, and the environment.

With this successful bilateral meeting, South Sudan and Uganda are taking significant steps towards enhancing standards and quality in cross-border trade. 

The cooperation between the SSNBS and UNBS will undoubtedly lead to more efficient and secure trade practices, benefiting both countries and promoting economic growth in the region.