South Sudan is searching for an international company to help run its nascent national airline in a public-private partnership. The newly-formed country is eager to attract foreign investment and hopes that forming its own airline will help it to better connect the landlocked nation with the outside world.
"We're going to develop a public-private partnership in order to establish a South Sudan airline ... It will be run commercially by an international, reputable company," Deputy Minister of Transport Mayom Kuoc Malek said in an interview.
"This project is a priority because as a landlocked country we need to reach the outside world, and the best way to reach the outside world is to have an aviation industry which is efficient," he said.
The government plans to take a 20 percent stake in the airline, sell 31% to the domestic private sector and 49% to international investors.
A government committee plans to review tenders from companies, which Malek says have already shown interest but he plans to advertise to get more investors to bid.
China is already confirmed as providing a $158 million loan to help finish a new airport in Juba.
South Sudan Government to take 20% stake in new airline
