Businesswomen in Juba gang up against ‘higher taxes’
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Small-scale businesswomen in Juba have complained of high and excessive taxes levied on them by the various levels of government.
In a two-day discussion that brought together women from Jebel market, Gudele, Kony Konyo, and Munuki, business holders lamented the unfavourable terms of doing business in Juba. The discussion was organised by United Nations Mission in South Sudan on Friday.
The women said they have been paying multiple taxes and that much of the profits they earn go into paying taxes.
“As mothers, we have children to look after. We are getting different taxes in the market and much of our profit is going for it. Now, what are we doing in the market there,” said Mary Kiden, a charcoal vendor in the Gudele market.
A representative of women traders from Munuki market, Saga Osman, said as small business owners, women have always felt betrayed and abandoned by the government because there is no support in form of loans for such businesses.
“I urge our government to help us financially so that we can be able economically empowered as our male counterpart,” she said.
The Chairperson of Central Equatoria State Chamber of Commerce, Stephen Wani, welcomed the work of the women traders despite the challenges they are facing in the market.
He said the women are the breadwinners and peace-makers in the country, adding that the women in the market are the ones keeping the local economy stable.
Assurance given
“We will do everything in our power to ensure that your concern is addressed so that you can be able to look forward to a prosperous future,” Wani said.
In October 2021, the business community in Juba threatened to shut down citing multiple and unregulated taxations by various authorities in the city.
The group aired frustrations over what they described as an unbearable business environment that continues to worsen, yet the authorities have turned a deaf ear to their plight.
However, the Central Equatoria State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture Robert Pita earlier called on the traders to continue with their business and promised to present the issue to the state’s higher authorities.
