(JUBA) – The South Sudan National Bureau of Standards held talks with the International Trade Centre this week to better align two major projects supporting quality infrastructure, a move that could help local businesses access new markets. The consultative meeting, chaired by the Bureau’s Executive Director Hon. Oiylang Dominic Kanuto at the SSNBS headquarters in Juba on 23 June 2026, focused on the GRACE and MARKUP II projects.
The discussions aimed to create a common platform for the two ITC supported projects to work together more smoothly in backing the Bureau’s core mandate. This includes improving standards, quality assurance, testing, certification and inspection services across South Sudan.
Hon. Oiylang expressed appreciation for what he described as the International Trade Centre’s continued and firm support to the national standards body. He singled out areas such as capacity building, laboratory strengthening and equipment support as having a direct impact on the Bureau’s ability to deliver its services. These technical improvements, he indicated, help create an environment where South Sudanese products can compete fairly in both domestic and foreign markets.
The ITC team, some of whom joined the meeting online, restated its commitment to working with the Bureau. The focus of the cooperation was on strengthening trade, promoting quality infrastructure and improving consumer protection.
SSNBS stated in a press statement that for South Sudan, where the informal economy is large and imported goods dominate many shelves, effective market surveillance and product certification are not just technical matters but also tools for building a more balanced and competitive business environment.
The standards body said the meeting with the International Trade Centre is part of a wider push by the Bureau to make quality and safety visible to ordinary citizens.
A public awareness campaign that was running earlier in the month continues to deliver a clear message to both traders and shoppers. On 17 June, the Bureau issued a statement urging the business community to see compliance with standards not as a burden but as an opportunity.
The message was that following rules on quality helps build trust, protect consumers, strengthen businesses and support overall economic growth.
Members of the public were reminded that their awareness, their buying choices and their willingness to report problems all play a part in protecting families, communities and the nation.