South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has secured a $10 million grant from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the minister of foreign affairs said.
Speaking to reporters upon Kiir’s return to the capital, Juba Wednesday, foreign affairs minister, Nhial Deng Nhial said the grant will promote small and medium enterprises among the youth.
“The grant will be used to train the youth, especially women in businesses and after that, they will be given small amounts to help them in their businesses,” said Nhial.
The president, he said, also signed key deals, which included agreements to facilitate inflow of foreign direct investment, avoid double taxation, a visa waiver and a bilateral treaty, among others.
“The United Arab Emirates will help expand the supply of energy in the Republic of South Sudan. A delegation of technicians from UAE will come soon to Juba to explore with the Minister of Petroleum how solar energy and wind energy can be installed in South Sudan as well as increase in crude oil exports in South Sudan,” stated the minister.
Meanwhile, Nhial said the young nation established good diplomatic ties with the UAE leadership to boost development programmes.
“The possibility of increasing oil exports was also discussed in the meeting. Right now, we have about 80,000 barrels of oil on the ground in Block 54,” he disclosed.
Nhial described as “successful” Kiir’s two-day visit to UAE, adding that all signed deals will be approved by cabinet and the legislature.
This was President’s Kiir second visit to the oil rich Arab country.