Dr. Mituaski Furukawa, Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on Thursday signed a memorandum with South Sudan's Undersecretary for Planning at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning Wani Buyu Dyori to support the customs service in the country.

The Japanese development agency will fund a project called “Capacity development of customs in South Sudan customs services for introduction of harmonized system code.”

Wani thanked JICA for its support to South Sudan, and he said this project is to improve the economy of South Sudan. For his part, Dr. Mituaski said that the project would begin in May 2016, and will help in the process of facilitating trade between South Sudan and its neighbors.

He said the accession of South Sudan as a full member in the East African Community (EAC) will be of benefit to South Sudan. The project’s cost will defined after the arrival of experts in May 2016.