Saudi Arabia, JUBA: President Salva Kiir Mayardit held talks with the visiting Foreign Affairs Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, HRH Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud in Juba on Monday.
The visit by Saudi Arabia’s top diplomat and the highest-ranking official to ever visit Since South Sudan’s independence further signifies Saudi’s recognition and commitment towards building a stronger diplomatic engagement with South Sudan.
“We are so privileged to host you here today as you are the first High Profile Government official to visit South Sudan from the Gulf States since our independence,” said President Salva Kiir.
“The visit of your Highness has come at a time when we are consolidating peace in our country and opening up avenues for investment opportunities so that our people can reap the benefits of their abundant natural resources”, he added.
The President further added that South Sudan has potential opportunities mostly in development in the areas, namely, agriculture sector, food processing, animal production, manufacturing sector and tourism. President Kiir said these areas would be of great interest to the Saudi Investment community.
“It is my utmost hope that we will both benefit from such shared investment for the betterment of our two countries. We lack skills and the necessary technology, and your investment will enable us to open up our potential as a bread basket in the region.” President Kiir said.
In a press statement to the media after the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mayiik Ayii Deng, said South Sudan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have close diplomatic relations in different areas.
“Our biodiversity, potential for agricultural investment and vast land mass stand as just a few examples of prospective stabilizing investments. Motivated by this spirit and analysis, we are proud to continue our discussions based on economic stabilization and a longstanding peace plan along our border with Sudan. We believe it speaks to specific attributes and capacities unique to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.” Mayiik added.
On his part, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, said his visit marks a great significant step towards the bilateral relations and cooperation between the two Countries.
Minister Al-Saud reaffirmed their willingness to explore investment and trading opportunities that South Sudan has to offer.
He further stressed the importance of working closely to build the economies of the two Countries.
