(JUBA) – The Association of South Sudan Manufacturers (ASSM) has raised concerns over rising business costs in Juba, citing increased City Council charges, excessive levies by Traffic Police and PLASCOM, a waste management company and broader challenges facing local producers.
The concerns were raised during a meeting with the Caretaking Minister of Trade and Industry Hon. Dr. Labanya Margaret Mathya, the Caretaking Mayor of Juba City Council, and representatives of the Hotel and Supermarket Associations.
The talks covered increased City Council charges, excessive levies by Traffic Police and PLASCOM, and rising business costs generally.
Other topics included private sector consultation on new charges and the introduction of digital payments to promote transparency and accountability.
The Association of South Sudan Manufacturers is a legal entity registered with the Registrar of Unions and Employers’ Associations in South Sudan.
It was registered on 22nd February 2022 under registration number 13 of 2022.
The association is based in Nimra Talata, near the National Ministry of Mining in Juba.
It describes itself as a business service organisation representing the interests of manufacturers across the country.
The association has been active on several issues affecting local producers.
In January 2025, ASSM said water bottling companies were shutting down due to high levies on plastic bottles imported into the country.
The association said the action could potentially leave 6,000 workers unemployed.
The dispute centred on an environmental fee imposed by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry through PLASCOM.
The fee was set at $0.01 per 600ml bottle and $0.02 for bottles ranging from 600ml to 1.5 litres.
The standoff was later resolved and factories resumed operations after an agreement on the fee structure.
In April 2026, ASSM took part in a Market Systems Development training organised by Caritas Switzerland.
The training brought together development partners, private sector actors and institutions committed to strengthening South Sudan’s economy.
The association has also supported the renovation of the Ministry of Trade and Industry compound in Juba.
It said the improvements would help create a more conducive working environment for the ministry and its stakeholders.
ASSM has also called for reliable electricity and harmonised taxes to help local producers expand beyond Juba.
Stella Andi, Public Relations Officer for ASSM, said producers could reach other states without obstacles if electricity was closer and taxes were harmonised.
In a related development, the Caretaker National Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Dr. Labanya Margaret Mathya, held a separate meeting with the Caretaker Governor of Central Equatoria State, H.E. Agustino Jadalla Wani, in Juba on 12th October 2026.
The meeting discussed challenges affecting trade facilitation, rising taxes, market regulation and the role of law enforcement agencies in Juba.
The two leaders agreed on the need for further consultations to address these challenges.
Those talks will involve the Caretaker Minister of Interior, the Caretaker Governor of Central Equatoria State, the Inspector General of Police and Juba City Council.
The aim is to strengthen coordination among the relevant authorities, according to a press release by the National Trade and Industry Ministry office.
Discover more from Access Radio®
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
