JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN , On August 7, 2025, the Hon Atong Kuol Manyang Juuk, National Minister of Trade and Industry, and an accompanying delegation, toured the South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) laboratory, testing facilities, and new premises in Juba.
The delegation included the Hon Simon Nyang Anei, Technical Advisor, the Hon Ustaz Yel Luol Koor, Undersecretary, and several Director Generals. The Minister and her team were welcomed by the Honorable Gloria Nyoka Joseph, Executive Director of the SSNBS, and her staff.
In her remarks, Minister Kuol acknowledged that the SSNBS’s mission is crucial to the nation’s health and well-being. “The bottom line is that the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and specifically the SSNBS, is responsible for the standards and quality of both locally produced and imported products. The lives and health of millions of people in this country depend on how we perform our duties.”
The Minister thanked the entire SSNBS staff for their hard work, resilience, and commitment, from the watchmen and cleaners to the technical teams and the Executive Director.
She also noted the pressing needs related to infrastructure, equipment, and staffing. “Our mission must prioritize capacity building, ensuring that our professionals are well-trained and our systems are aligned with regional and international standards,” she said. This includes acquiring modern laboratory equipment to detect harmful substances such as genetically modified materials, chemical additives, and poisons in food.
Minister Kuol emphasized that consumer protection is at the heart of the government’s mission. She assured the staff of her unwavering support on behalf of the Ministry and herself.
She also took a moment to congratulate those who received awards for their training, achievements, and academic excellence, and shared that the day of the tour was also her birthday.
The Honorable Undersecretary, Ustaz Luol also spoke, applauding the SSNBS for its commendable work in promoting economic growth and consumer protection. He highlighted the need to address the influx of substandard goods in the market and urged the SSNBS to ensure that all imported and exported goods are properly tagged, branded, and packaged according to quality standards.
© Press Unit, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Republic of South Sudan