By Theophellos Sahr Gbenda
Adding value to the rebranding stride to make Sierra Leone more attractive in the International Community Sierra Leone’s Special Envoy for Trade and Investment, Abubakarr A. Kai Kai popularly known as Abu Kai, has hit headlines in the United States of America following a thrilling statement he delivered at the Harvard Alumni Club in New York City.
Speaking at the event titled ‘Empower Africa: Driving Business in Africa’, Special Envoy Abu Kai stated that Sierra Leone is not only open for business, but ready for business as well.
He said, “As a businessman, I am here to make you an offer. I am here to offer you a product. A product called Sierra Leone. One endorsed by the New Direction of His Excellency Retired Brigadier Julius Maada Bio. An offer that will give access to the markets of 54 African countries with a population of 1.128 billion potential workers, customers and consumers. A package that comes with several concessions, duty free incentives with the United States of America, European Union, Asia and various trade agreements with other African countries”.
He went further to state that, “I am here to give you a share in 5.4 million hectares of the world’s finest land space for agriculture, a fair share in one of the world’s richest marine reserves, untapped oil and gas fields, proven mineral resources and an opportunity to be part of the great infrastructural transformation of Sierra Leone”.
For all of these to come into fruition, Envoy Abu Kai pointed out that “Our arms are widely open to strategic partnership, hedge funders, financiers and private sector interventions”.
He also stated that the Government is working in line with the African Union’s 2023 development plan and aims at “Reaching the pinnacle with our partners in the private sector and within the development community”.
While marketing Sierra Leone in particular and Africa as a whole, Envoy Abu Kai stressed the need for a win-win situation, noting that Africa needs investors that will come and change the face of the economy and development aspirations of States and improve the lives of the people more than ever seen before.
The way and manner in which the Envoy’s statement was reacted to have been positive as seen in a good number of investors manifesting interest in exploring investment opportunities in infrastructure, technology and innovation in the country, while others showed interest in other areas.
Important personalities present at the epoch making event that was organized jointly by the Office of Sierra Leone’s Special Envoy on Trade and Investment and Ezi Rappaport, were the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Corporate Council on Africa Madam Florizelle Liser, the Chief Minister of the Republic of Sierra Leone Professor David Francis, the Chairman Presidential Infrastructure Initiative Dr. John Tambi, the Presidential Spokesman Yusuf Keketoma Sandy and Senior Adviser to the President and Ambassador At Large, Dr. Bun Wurie.
Also in attendance were the Legal Representative for Israel at the United Nations and an IT specialist attached at the Office for the Catholic Pope in Rome.
