South Sudan’s newly appointed Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Bak Barbara Chol, was officially sworn in on Wednesday. During the ceremony at the Ministry’s headquarters in Juba, Dr Bak outlined his vision for revitalising the nation’s struggling economy through stronger governance and market-driven reforms.
“I am not here to sign cheques for individuals,” Dr Bak declared. “I am here to control, facilitate, and revitalise our economic sectors by applying sound market principles that will serve as a roadmap for traders and investors.”
Dr Bak, who previously served as Minister of Finance, returns to office at a time when South Sudan faces mounting economic challenges, including inflation, currency instability, and widespread damage caused by recent floods across several counties. Despite these difficulties, he expressed optimism about rebuilding confidence and promoting sustainable growth.
Explaining his vision, Dr Bak said, “The economy is about spending, production, and distribution. Too many South Sudanese are building other nations’ economies because they support families in Nairobi, Kampala, and Kigali. How can our economy grow when half our population lives outside the country?”
He urged citizens to rethink their behaviour and spending habits, stressing that “if we want our economy to grow, we must first correct the way we conduct ourselves.”
