The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr Alie Kabba on Monday 18th March, 2019 informed Investors from Egypt that the new government under the ‘New Direction’ Leadership of His Excellency President Rtd Brigadier Julius Maada Bio is focused on moving Sierra Leone away from dependency on foreign aid to development.
He made this statement during a courtesy call on him at his Tower Hill office, Freetown by some Egyptian Investors who are in the country to express interest in investing in the energy sector, infrastructure, Marine and Fisheries and Agriculture and Food Security sectors.
The Hon. Minister in his address said the courtesy call was an indication that their government is sincerely focused on economic diplomacy by attracting trade and investment opportunities.
He added that, the call also demonstrated their resilient efforts in attracting investors wherever they go to improve the private sector in order to create more job opportunities for the young people to move away from poverty.
The Hon. Minister recalled that during his visit to Egypt in December last year, he met with his Egyptian Counterpart and that he was inspired by their common understanding that, they need to deepen the ties between their countries, promoting trade and investment opportunities and above all to ensure that there is deeper people-to-people exchange ties between the two countries.
Historically, Minister Kabba added that the two countries have a very strong friendly relationship and that he is aware that His Excellency is particularly interested in exchanging more ties between the two countries now that Egypt is the Chair of the AU.
Sierra Leone, he told the Investor is an attractive destination for investment opportunities assuring them of a political conducive environment.
He said as a government, they are working to create an enabled investment environment in order to ensure long term investment opportunities in the country.
He disclosed that he is being in constant talks with the Ambassador of Egypt to Sierra Leone in ensuring that trade and investment opportunities flourished in the country to ensure a win-win cooperation.
The Ambassador of Sierra Leone to Egypt, Ambassador Morie Fofana in his brief remarks said the investors are here to seek possibilities to contribute to the development of the country.
The Egyptian Ambassador to Sierra Leone His Excellency Maher Almahdy Atta Alsayed assured the Hon. Minister that the investors will meet the expectations of the government.
The Chief Commercial Officer of Elsewedy Electric Company for Africa, Mr Mohamed Atef said his company is an integrated energy solution division and infrastructure service provider that is keen to support the country and share knowledge with their counterparts in the country.
He said they are very keen to support business opportunities, water treatment, infrastructure, telecom among others and that they are ready to work in the country to help develop the country and make life better for its people.
