The South Sudan National Revenue Authority (NRA) and TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) have entered a trade facilitation agreement to help Juba to promote trade and diversify from oil revenues by establishing modern systems for faster clearance of goods.

The deal will link South Sudan to the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking system (RECTs), which is currently implemented on the Northern Corridor in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC through the respective revenue and Customs administrations.

RECTs is a web-based integrated system used to monitor transit cargo from departure to the final destination.

NRA Commissioner General Olympio Attipoe said the move is important as Juba aims to reduce the cost of security bonds, theft and diversions, and enhance security on the transit route from the port of Mombasa.

TMEA says it hopes the unity government expected to be inaugurated in November will materialise.

“We are committed to doing our part, but it has to be stressed that we need a government of national unity to stick to the peace deal and start doing good work for the citizens in November,” said TMEA CEO Frank Matsaert at the signing of the deal with the NRA last Friday.