JUBA, July 29 (Xinhua) -- More than 200 corporate leaders, financiers and entrepreneurs have wrapped up a meeting aimed at developing business-to-business linkages among Juba-based South Sudanese-owned businesses, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said on Monday.

The first-ever Business Development Link event, organized by the UNDP in collaboration with Good Vibes Business Network focused on critical actions needed to harness the power of existing private sector, improve value chains and linkages, and uplift the rising generation of young business owners.

"The discussion was framed around improving the business environment to encourage young entrepreneurs to succeed in South Sudan," said UNDP in a statement.

Kamil Kamaluddeen, UNDP Resident Representative, stressed that business-to-business (B2B) linkages were vital for success, and that the relationships built at this event could open doors to new collaborations, as well as mentoring opportunities between start-ups and established enterprises.

Kamaluddeen said the event which started in Juba would be taken to other targeted hubs of stability, such as Bor, Rumbek, Torit and Yambio.

"Lacking access to finance was raised by several entrepreneurs as the main bottleneck to grow a business in South Sudan," the UNDP said.

The UN agency pledged continued support to youth empowerment and employment and highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships, and how these had spurred innovation and progress in a country.