From Sudan Tribune

South Sudan launched a new type of passport that will only be issued to the business community.

The passport was launched in the South Sudanese capital Juba recently, by the Directorate of Nationality Passport and Immigration and the country’s Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture.

Agustino Maduot, the director general of the directorate, said business passports had been included in the immigration act.

However, Maduot warned the South Sudan Chamber of Commerce against recommending criminals and called on the business community not to abuse the honor of having a passport specifically designated for them.

“These passports should be given to the right people and so should not be given to criminals to avoid abuses because it is respected,” he said, adding that those issued with diplomatic passports should also portray a good image of the young nation.

The official further stressed that anyone applying for business passports must possess a South Sudanese nationality certificate, a certificate of incorporation, a letter of recommendation from the register of companies, a tax clearance certificate, a Tax Identification Number (TIN), bank statements covering the past three years, and be a member of the Chamber of Commerce.

He warned that applicants with criminal records over the past three years would not eligible to apply for business passports.

The inspector-general of police, Pieng Deng Kuol, urged business people not to abuse the privilege, as has been the case with some holders of diplomatic passports, who he accused of being “undiplomatic” in the way they use the document.

The country’s interior minister, Alison Monani Magaya, who launched the new business passports, warned that the government would halt the issue of the new documents, if it is found that non-South Sudanese are illegally acquiring them.

Read more at Sudan Tribune.