SSAFTA

South Sudan has been declared a “least developed” country under the GSP (Generalized System of Preferences) program in the United States, Reuters reports today.

Quoting from the article: “President Barack Obama on Monday added South Sudan to a U.S. trade program for developing countries, allowing the newly independent nation to ship thousands of goods to the United States without paying U.S. import duties.”

This is very good news for our members who can now take advantage of this program for the mutual benefit of companies in South Sudan and their American business partners importing goods produced in South Sudan.

We are very happy to report our Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the state of Northern Bahr el Ghazal (NBG) of the Republic of South Sudan. Signed in December 2011, this MOA outlines how SSAFTA will work hand-in-hand with the government of NBG state to build partnerships for opportunity development and investment in the state. Read the full text of our MOA here.

We are grateful for the support of Gov. Paul Malong Awan, and we are eager to work collaboratively to assist businesses, public sector agencies, and NGOs who want to invest, send aid, and export products and services to Northern Bahr el Ghazal.

SSAFTA is ready to work with you – in the U.S. and in South Sudan – to establish mutually beneficial partnerships between enterprises in both countries.

We are pleased to be a member of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce!

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

SSAFTA looks forward to working with our new colleagues and friends at other organizations to explore partnerships and opportunities in the Republic of South Sudan.

“WHEREAS, the South Sudan Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (herein after SSCCIA) desire increased trade, educational and cultural contacts with the United States of America…” – so begins our Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the SSCCIA. Signed in August 2011, this MOA forms the basis of how SSAFTA is working to build partnerships for opportunity development and investment in South Sudan. Read the full text of our MOA here.

Our MOA with the SSCCIA means simply that SSAFTA is ready to work with you – in the U.S. and in South Sudan – to establish mutually beneficial partnerships between enterprises in both countries. If you are not already a member of SSAFTA, give us a call, sign up for a membership, and allow us to help you explore market opportunities in South Sudan.

This presentation highlights the basic mission and operations concept for SSAFTA and shows some specific sector examples of how we’d like to facilitate partnerships between U.S. companies and enterprises in South Sudan.

SSAFTA and the Church of the Reconciliation co-sponsored a public event on South Sudan in Webster, Massachusetts, on Sunday, October 16th. Here is a slideshow of pictures from that event.

Here is an article about the event from the The Patriot newspaper.

Executive Board Members and Mr. Wany Majok

Executive Board members Jamie Bowlin, Doug Bushman, Franco Majok, and Ron Moulton met recently with Mr. Wany Majok on his visit to Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Mr. Wany is highly respected in South Sudan where he serves as an adviser to the Ministry of Education and is referred to as “The Teacher.” We are honored that he made time for us  to brief him on SSAFTA’s efforts to help build trade relations between U.S. companies and commercial enterprises in South Sudan. Mr. Wany will carry the mission of SSAFTA back to Juba and Aweil for us – along with several copies of our official corporate presentation.

SSAFTA has a strategic Memorandum of Agreement with South Sudan Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (SSCCIA), and we are in the process of establishing similar partnerships with the states and national government of South Sudan. Several U.S. based companies have expressed an interest in exporting their products to South Sudan. SSAFTA will leverage our partnerships and agreements with entities in South Sudan to create sustainable and mutually-beneficial trade relations for our members.

Doug Bushman and the Rev. Janice Ford

Episcopal Church of the Reconciliation & South Sudan-American Friendship and Trade Association have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to sponsor a visit and several events featuring the Rt. Rev. Abraham Nhial, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Aweil, Republic of South Sudan.

The joint project will help facilitate Bishop Nhial’s visit to Massachusetts and help spread the message of the needs – both humanitarian and economic – of the people of South Sudan. This MOA is between the Church of the Reconciliation (COR) in Webster, MA, a parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Western MA, and its Rector, the Rev. Janice Ford and South Sudan American Friendship and Trade Association (SSAFTA).

Webster Church of Reconciliation and SSAFTA to Sponsor Bishop Nhial’s Visit.

Bishop Abraham Yel Nhial

The Church of the Reconciliation and the South Sudan-American Friendship Trade Association (SSAFTA) are honored to announce that they are jointly sponsoring the Rt. Rev. Abraham Yel Nhial, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Aweil, South Sudan as he visit’s the Webster-Dudley area this October. On Sunday October 16 Bishop Nhial will preside at the morning services at the Church of the Reconciliation. At 2:00 p.m. at the church Parish Hall Bishop Nhial will give a presentation about the culture, economy, and the challenges South Sudan faces since gaining independence. All activities are open to the public. It is expected that elected official’s will be attending. At this time, State Senator Richard T Moore and State Representative Kevin Kuros will be attending. They are both members of the Joint Committees on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.

South Sudan is the world’s newest nation having just gained its independence this past July. The United States played a pivotal role in assisting the people of South Sudan secure their freedom after a half century of warfare and conflict. SSAFTA is a non-profit international trade association based in Massachusetts dedicated to helping American-based companies export their products and services to South Sudan, and to help South Sudan participate in the Global marketplace. The Chairman of SSAFTA is Douglas M. Bushman. On August 9, 2011 the Church of Reconciliation’s Rector and SSAFTA’s chairman signed a memorandum of agreement to co-sponsor this event. The joint organizing and welcoming committee are made up of members of the Mission and Outreach committee of the Church of Reconciliation; Wanja Jane Bromberg and Joanna Bowlin, and SSAFTA Executive Board members; Franco Majok and Jamie Bowlin.

The Church of the Reconciliation is part of the Episcopal Diocese and is a member of SSAFTA, and is located at 5 North Main St. Webster, MA 01570. The pastor of the church is Reverend Janice C. Ford, Rector, the Church of the Reconciliation (Episcopal), Webster, MA. For those who may be unable to attend Sunday’s event, Bishop Nhail with also be speaking at the Andover Newton Theological School on Saturday October 15 at 2 p.m. The public is invited to come to both events on Sunday October 16. Webster First Federal Credit Union is a contributing participant to this event.

To download a flyer for this event, click here. If you would like to participate or contribute please contact us.

ANSWERING AMERICA’S BUSINESS CHALLENGE IN AFRICA

A message from our Chairman…

South Sudan is a brand new nation rich in natural and human resources, but in critical need of economic development and technical assistance in the areas of public administration and commercial development.  SSAFTA will not replace or compete with any one nation’s public institutions instead it will provide a private forum for the exchange of information which can facilitate ideas, growth and commerce.  Increased economic activity and the exchange of ideas will only help the people and Government of South Sudan to maximize their economic potential in the shortest amount of time.

A business and trade association such as SSAFTA can provide an important venue for private businesses and government agencies to explore and initiate economic development and commerce.   SSAFTA can provide another channel of communication which the private businesses and governments of all three nations can utilize to promote stability, grow and commerce.