By Austin Thomas
Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEIK), has hosted a virtual business conference, hosting Madam Nabeela Tunis, Sierra Leone’ Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Sierra Leone’s envoy to Turkey, Amb. Mohamed Kai-Samba.
The objective of the meeting was to discuss business and Investment opportunities in both Turkey and Sierra Leone.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Turkey-Sierra Leone Business Council, (Turkey side), Mr Aybars Unal, expressed delight and optimism regarding the hosting of such bilateral business events. He registered his determination to use his position as Chairman of the Business Council to promote Business and Investment interests of both friendly countries.
Mr Unal revealed that a business delegation to be led by himself, would soon travel to Sierra Leone on a business scoping mission, geared towards identifying potential business and investment opportunities and also to engage his counterpart in Sierra Leone for the mutual benefit of both nations.
In his statement, the Chairman of the Turkey-Sierra Leone Business Council, (Sierra Leone Side), Mr. Christopher Forster, who is also the President of the Sierra Leone Chambers of Commerce and Industry, registered his determination to use the opportunities afforded by the Business Council to foster meaningful business and investment engagement between his membership and the Sierra Leone business community at large. He expressed optimism on the strengthening of the Sierra Leone Turkish business relations.
His Excellency, Mr. Deha Erpek, former Turkish Ambassador to Sierra Leone used the occasion to highlight some of the gains he made in Sierra Leone during his tour of duty, stressing optimism in the future of the Sierra Leone – Turkey bilateral relations. He presented Sierra Leone as a friendly nation where Turkish companies can thrive and succeed in business.
In his speech, the President of DEIK, Mr. Nail Opak, expressed delight on the establishment of the Sierra Leone -Turkey Business Council, urging both sides to take full advantage of every opportunity such an establishment offers.
He spoke about Turkish companies already taking advantage of the opportunities Sierra Leone has accorded Turkish business entities, citing SUMA Construction Company that is currently involved in a multimillion construction project in Sierra Leone and many others.
His Excellency Ambassador Mohamed Kai-Samba, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Turkey, in his remarks, expressed delight and thanked the organizers of this meeting, stressing that it represented an important milestone in the developing relations between Sierra Leone and Turkey.
Ambassador Kai- Samba highlighted that his participation in the last year’s first ever online Turkey- Africa Economic and Business Forum was a huge opportunity to identify and reach new business partnerships and elevate trade relations between two countries.
He added that ties between the two countries especially in the areas of trade and business will be enhanced with the official opening of the Sierra Leone Mission, an effort he described as an important milestone in development and enhancement of the expanding economic and diplomatic relations between Sierra Leone and the Republic of Turkey.
He swiftly and precisely articulated the close similarities between the DEIk’s overriding objective and the main path of the New Direction Government of His Excellency Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio, stressing that, “Like the core objectives of DEİK, which is to increase and enhance welfare and prosperity of the Turkish nation and Turkish people, making Turkey an effective and efficient player in the global arena that will serve to leave a more fair and livable world for the next generations; The National Medium Term Development Plan (2019-2023) has been founded on a strong political commitment to deliver development results that would improve the welfare of Sierra Leone’s citizens.”
Ambassador Kai-Samba further noted that, Turkey–Sierra Leone Business Council has provided a platform for further development and strengthening of bilateral trade and economic relations between Sierra Leone and Turkey.
He stressed that he is committed to using his tour of duty to enhance and further strengthen the ever-developing and strengthening relations between the two friendly nations.
Addressing the meeting, Minister Nabeela Tunis expressed satisfaction in the strength of the Sierra Leone-Turkey bilateral relations, which she said is being demonstrated at various levels.
Minister Tunis emphasized that the Government of Sierra Leone is keen to cooperate with Turkey by pointing out her 2019 and 2020 visits to Turkey as a clear manifestation of the strong relations between Turkey and Sierra Leone.
She reminded the meeting about the practical steps that has been taken by the President Bio led Government in areas of mutual interest, including trade and investment, defense, education, religion and health.
In the area of trade, business and investment, she reminded all that Sierra Leone is currently actively engaging and prioritizing Turkish companies for public contracts, highlighting that Turkish companies have taken major infrastructure projects and they are expecting to receive a lot more through this particular platform which has been established.
“We as a Government have to create an environment for these companies not only to come and create jobs but also realize huge benefits,” she stated.
Regarding the balance of trade volume between Sierra Leone and Turkey, the Minister recognized that there has been significant improvement in trade volumes between the two nations.
Madam Nabeela Tunis underlined Government’s interest in attracting more business and investment from Turkey, explaining that, the Government has introduced favorable tax regimes for key sectors including tourism.
The Foreign Minister also revealed that President Julius Maada Bio has established an investment board which seeks to provide an additional layer of confidence to investors in terms of providing hands-on-support at the highest level of the Presidency.
The meeting was also virtually attended by H.E. Ms. Sibel Erkan, Newly Designated Turkish Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Mr. Paul Mina ,Deputy Ambassador, Mr. Mohamed Lamin Khan HOC, Mr. Rashid Conteh, Secretary General of Sierra Leone Importers Union (Observer), Ms. Hawa Tucker, Press Attaché, Ms. Pınar Okumuş, Secretary to the Ambassador, Mr. Barış Çuvalcı DEİK Deputy Secretary General, Mr. Evren Doğan DEİK Turkey-Africa Business Council Director , Mr. Akın Dıblan DEİK Turkey-Africa Business Council Coordinator, Ms. İlayda Güngör DEİK Turkey-Africa Business Council Assistant Coordinator and moderated by Mr. Aybars Ünal Sierre Leone – Turkey Business Council Chairman.
