WHEREAS, the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Government of the Republic of South Sudan signed the Border Trade Protocol on 24 February 2017 in Addis Ababa with the aim of enabling the bordering people of the two countries to access basic consumer goods that they cannot get easily from central region of their respective countries;

WHEREAS, considering that Article 4 of the Border Trade Protocol provides that the signatory countries shall issue harmonized border trade directives to enhance and expand the smooth operation of the border trade;

WHEREAS, recognizing that legal border trade is essential to reduce contraband and illicit trade and ensure peace and security around the border areas by strengthening the relationship of the communities of the bordering areas;

NOW, THEREFORE, this Directive is issued by the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration pursuant to Article 35 (2) and 52(2) of the Commercial Registration and Licensing Proclamation No. 980/2016 (as amended).