JUBA, May 11 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan's private sector has formally started the process of integration into the East African Business Council (EABC), a senior trade official said on Friday.

Mou Mou Athian, the Secretary General of South Sudan Secretariat for the East African Community, said the integration process was a good opportunity for the business community in the country.

"This is a good beginning to rejuvenating the business community in the country," Athian said in Juba.

The EABC members concluded meeting with the South Sudan private sector and government officials on Thursday in Juba.

Athian cited that given the weak capacity of the private sector in the country, the EABC should play a big role in raising the capacity of the business men and women.

Moses Hassen, the minister of Trade, Industry and East African Affairs, said his ministry would input the necessary requirement to fast-track the integration process.

"As the government we will always be there to support the private sector," he said, adding that the government would put the necessary resources available to strengthen the private sector in order to also compete in the regional bloc.

Lillian Awinja, the executive director of the EABC, said the regional body is aimed at interacting with the business community after which they would report back to employers in the bloc.

South Sudan joined the regional trade bloc (EAC) in April 2016 that includes neighboring countries like Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.

The EABC is the apex body of the private sector associations and corporates in East Africa.

It was established in 1997 to foster the interests of the private sector in the integration process of the East African Community (EAC) and has observer status in organs and activities of the EAC.?