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RCBank Lumley & Juba Agency Banking Elicits Warm Commendations

By Abubakarr Harding

With the Rokel Commercial Bank opening its second agency banking service at the precincts of its imposing Juba branch in the west end of Freetown, on the 3rd of November 2022,  the bank’s customers at Lumley and  Juba in Freetown would now have an opportunity to access banking services beyond traditional banking hours and on weekends.

At a short ceremony, RCBank’s Head of Operations, Adikalie Kamara posited; “To date, we have opened  18 new branches, 9 outlets, several ATMs and a lot of other products. We are taking banking to the doorsteps of our people because the Government, through the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion says everyone must have access to financial services….”

Managing Director of Rokel Commercial Bank, Amb Dr. Walton Gilpin emphasized on the need for Sierra Leoneans to develop a banking culture whilst reiterating that financial institutions have a responsibility to provide easier and comfortable access to financial services for the general populace.

“Through these invocations, we are also pushing the unbanked population in Sierra Leone to have bank accounts. The ability to access finance at any point in time is a major growth indicator as this will invariably help boost businesses and improve the overall wellbeing of citizens.”

An RCbank Customer, Salamatu Nyallay who is a petty trader at Lumley Market expressed gratitude for the new service as according to her, “I will no longer have to wait until Mondays and I will now have access to my money even when the main bank is closed”.

The arrangement through which a bank provides basic financial services through an agent rather than an in house cashier is called Agency Banking.  It is a type of branchless banking that allows the traditional banks to extend their network of branches and services in a cost-efficient manner.

 

 

President Bio Embarks on  Four Day Working Visit in the Southern Province

By Abubakarr Harding

President Julius Maada Bio is on a four-day working visit to the Southern Province, starting in a town hall with leaders, women and young people in Taninahun and commissioned a project in Serabu, known for its Catholic Community Hospital and the nursing school since 1978.

President Bio told the jubilant crowd that he was happy to be with them in Taninahun and thanked them for voting for him in the 2018 elections and encouraged them to take advantage of the opportunity presented by the free quality education and send their children to school.

Honourable Foday Rado Yokie, who spoke on behalf of stakeholders of the town, expressed gratitude to the President and his entourage for the visit, stating that that was the first time they had had a sitting President visiting the area.

He said he was happy to have hosted the President, the First Lady and their entourage, noting that his people were very grateful for the many development projects by the Government.

First Lady Fatima Bio, thanked the people for the warm reception, noting that she was most grateful to them for appreciating the President.

In Serabu where the President commissioned the Emmanuel Pious Richards Foundation Hall and Library, he encouraged school-going pupils to make use of the library and become more knowledgeable.

He ended by presenting some medical equipment from the Ministry of Health and Sanitation to the people of Serabu and admonishing them to handle them with care.

In Bumpeh the people thanked President Bio for the visit and the free quality education and pledged their continued support to him and his Government while assuring that they would vote for him in the coming 2023 elections.

 

 

 

Sierra Leone Passes MCC Scorecard for the 4th Time

By Abubakarr Harding

Sierra Leone has on the 3rd November, 2022 passed 11 out of the 20 indicators on the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) the scorecard for 2023, making it the country’s fourth consecutive pass since the Government of Sierra Leone’s President Dr Julius Maada Bio in 2018.

The compacts are five-year agreements through which the United States Government provides grants to partner countries, Sierra Leone, which is now in good stead to continue the development of the multiple hundreds of million dollars power Compact to support programmes to reduce poverty through economic growth.

Sierra Leone’s proposed Compact, which has currently reached the feasibility stage, intends to increase the availability of reliable and affordable power for households, businesses and social institutions across Sierra Leone.

The Sierra Leone Compact Development Unit (SLCDU) in a statement, noted that the FY 2023 MCC scorecard presents a fresh mandate for the Government of Sierra Leone to deepen reforms in key sectors as it continues to develop the Compact.

“With one of the most ambitious timelines within the MCC portfolio, Sierra Leone is poised to sign the Compact in 2023. The Compact will alleviate the energy constraint for all Sierra Leoneans through this valuable partnership with the United States of America,” it said.

The new scorecard, it added, recorded some enviable gains in the Girls’ Primary Education Completion Rate indicator assessed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

“At over 99.5% in 2021, Sierra Leone has the highest rate of girls completing primary education than any other West African country for the period in review. On Primary Education Expenditures, Sierra Leone increased spending from 3.61% to 4.3% as a percentage of GDP between 2020 and 2021- the highest increase over a one-year period across all the countries in the lower income pool on the MCC scorecard,” the statement stated.

The Unit further disclosed that for the first time Sierra Leone passed the Land Rights and Access indicator and in the category of ruling justly, the country passed 5 out of the 6 indicators, including the Control of Corruption.

The scorecard also introduced a new indicator and methodological refinements to old indicators, which were approved by the MCC Board in September 2022, with the new Employment Opportunity indicator replacing the Business Start-Up, which Sierra Leone had passed commandingly in previous years.

According to the SLCDU, while Sierra Leone did not pass the new Employment Opportunity indicator, efforts were underway to revise and streamline the labour laws to improve the protection of workers and boost inclusivity in the workplace, adding that Parliament had enacted the Anti-Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Act, 2022, thereby increasing the penalties for trafficking and other forms of forced labour.

It noted that the Government also anticipated the passing into law of the Gender Empowerment Bill that would support the creation of a safer work environment, especially for women.

“The welcome change on the scorecard allows MCC to enhance dialogue with Governments to spur inclusive economic growth through an ecosystem of policies and reforms that foster democracy, increase economic freedom, and promote investments in citizens. These are principles that the Government of Sierra Leone remains committed to in its efforts to improve the lives of its citizens,” the Unit said.

Rising Consumption of Kush Among Young People is Worrisome

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

A substance known as Kush, considered to be a cheap illicit drug, is said to be increasingly being abused by scores of young people in the country for recreational purposes and as an escape route from the harsh realities of unemployment, frustration, poverty and despondency.

How the drug reacts has been portrayed in a newly released BBC Africa Eye Documentary titled “Kush: Into the Mad World” which shows how the illegal drug is on the rise across Sierra Leone and negatively impacting the youth. Kush is a cheap illegal drug that is easily accessed in various communities in the country.

Medical staffs in the capital Freetown say that 90% of the male admissions to the central psychiatric ward are due to Kush use.

Police are battling to win the war against the drug.

On Thursday November 3, 2022, a video surfaced on social media which showed a Police Officer in uniform laboring under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

As a disciplined Institution, Management acted swiftly to ascertain not only the veracity of the video but also the identity of the Police Officer portrayed therein.

The Sierra Leone Police has stated that the said Police Officer (defaulter) seen in the video was identified as Police Constable 18654 Alie Sankoh, attached to the Kissy Police Division, in Freetown.

According to the Police hierarchy, the defaulter has been administratively investigated and arraigned before a Disciplinary Hearing on Five Count charges, ranging from: Being under the Influence of Drugs and Alcohol whilst on Duty, to Conduct Prejudicial to Good Order and Discipline.

It was further revealed that the Defaulter pleaded guilty to all five counts and he has therefore been accordingly dismissed from the Force, effective 4th November 2022, in line with the provisions of the Police (Discipline) Regulations, 2001.

In another incident,  two Non-Commissioned Officers of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), whose videos have gone viral about their alleged misconduct, reported to have been under the influence of a dangerous drug known as KUSH, have been dismissed.

That disclosure was made by Major Y.S. Brima, Media Operations Officer Headquarters, Joint Force Command RSLAF, Cockerill Barracks.

Major Brima said the Commanding Officer of the 5 Infantry Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Robin informed him that the two soldiers were DISMISSED because they had abandoned their duty posts and engaged in acts that undermine good military order and discipline.

The two soldiers are RSLAF 18169900 Sergeant Samura and RSLAF 18181489 Lance Corporal Kallon.

 

 

VP  & Tourism Minister Discuss Issues Bordering on Budapest Freetown Rally

By Abubakarr Harding

Dr. Memunatu Pratt, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, has on the 4th November,2022 briefed the Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh on the hosting of the 2nd edition of the Budapest-Bamako Freetown finish line rally under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. The briefing was held at the Vice President’s Office on Tower Hill in Freetown.

The Minister explained that over 600 participants with over 240 vehicles and motorbikes are on their way to Sierra Leone to participate in the finish line event at Lumley beach.

She mentioned that it was because of the effective collaboration between the Ministry and line MDA’s that the first finish line event in 2020 was successful, a basis she said was used to choose Sierra Leone as the finish line host country for the second time.

In his remarks, the Vice President, Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh started by confirming that he will attend the finish line ceremony on behalf of the President, Julius Maada Bio. He applauded the Minister and her team for pulling this off, saying that it reiterates international confidence in Sierra Leone as a peaceful destination.

The Minister was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Edward Kwame Yankson and the Director of Tourism, Mohamed Jalloh.

 

NDMA Launches Project to Enlighten School Pupils to Respond to & Mitigate Disasters

By Isata Fofanah

The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) on the 3rd November 2022 launched the School Disaster Risk Reduction and the Climate Information Disaster Management Early Warning System (CIDMEWS) Project in collaboration with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary School Education and the Sierra Leone Meteorological Agency at the Bank Complex Kingtom in Freetown.

The objective of the event was geared towards enlightening school pupils as well as citizens in the country on how best to mitigate and respond to disasters whether they occur in both the school and the environment.

During the event, the Deputy Director General of NDMA, John Vandy Rogers, stated that children are to be highly secure in communities as they are the leaders of tomorrow. He continued that against such a backdrop, the Agency decided to launch a project which contains teaching guidelines for teachers, pupils, and stakeholders.

He maintained that they, as an agency, have full confidence in launching the project because of the great support derived from the Ministry of Education and other agencies over the years.

The Deputy Director furthered that prior to now when the idea came up of establishing the Agency, the then Minister reluctantly down played the whole idea until numerous incidents started occurring such the outbreak of Ebola, Mudslide, as well as Corona virus which led to the loss of many lives not excluding students as well as distracting the normal school curriculum.

He underscored that any Government that strives to focus and respond to disasters especially those affecting school going children who are most times vulnerable is proactive.

The Director General of the NDMA, Lieutenant General (Rtd) Brima B. Sesay, started that the Agency was established in 2018 when the country began to face numerous disasters making the work of the Agency very vital especially when it is working in line with the security apparatus of the country and also building standard knowledge among school pupils on disaster risk reductions.

He added that the project is prioritized and highly supported by the international disaster program for NDMA and the Ministry of Basic Secondary School to incorporate it in the school curriculum for students to fully understand certain circumstances related to disasters.

The Director General maintained that basic education is a universal and inevitable right and such right should not be disrupted by disasters and that whenever education is distracted, pupils definitely suffer which sometimes will have permanent negative effects on them as well as on their families.

He continued that as they are in the process of launching the project, there should be a reminder that every child has the right to safety and survival in both the school and outside of it as well the right to have quality and sustainable elementary education.

According to him, dissemination of knowledge in a safe learning environment is important and  to ensure that school buildings are prevented from hazards and ensure that the lives of students, teachers and other concerned parties are highly protected at all times.

According to him, disaster education is a broad goal that tends to reach the children and the community for the preparedness of disaster occurrences.

He concluded by commending the United National Development Program for supporting the NDMA in the development of an App for climate change adding that the Climate Information Disaster Management Early Warning System (CIDMEWS) is one of the world’s changer products used for the forecasting of extreme weather conditions especially for communities that are prone to disaster occurrences.

He stated that the launching of the project will go a long way to examine challenges in the environment particularly when it has to do with enlightening people of the risks involved in living within the circle of disaster prone areas and also provide valid information that informs about exact weather conditions.

Representing the Resident Representative of the UNDP, Tanzila Sankoh, who is the  Team Lead- Sustainability and Local Economic Development  stated that the launching of the projects was as a result of the collaboration with the NDMA and other relevant agencies across the country maintaining how the two projects are very key to disaster reduction, mitigation, response and recovery. She added that UNDP has, over the years, provided various capacity supports to the NDMA through the development of a strategic document such as the national hazard profile, the establishment of regional and district disaster Management Agencies in order to enhance disaster management.

She further stated that, over the years, the frequent disaster occurrences led to the loss of both human and material resources, posed community hazards, which have seriously destroyed and undermined the growth of the nation.

According to her, natural disaster mostly occur because of the reluctant nature of  community residents stating that whenever such occurs children are mostly affected because they lack the skills and knowledge to protect themselves from such situations.

She maintained that in Sierra Leone the frequent occurrence of disasters and the level of sustaining dangers are becoming very high and it is now more urgent to work towards rectifying such challenges especially in schools.

Tanzila Sankoh added that the school plays an important role in every nation as well as make significant contributions stressing that the guidelines will serve as a vital tool in providing relevant information on hazards, natural disaster management and the reduction of associated risks among students as well as their families.

She disclosed that the UNDP, through their various funding projects, hired the INTEGEMS to establish the Climate Information Disaster Management Early Warning System (CIDMEWS) in order to serve as a response for the hectic disaster weather condition and also providing data which includes temperature, humidity.

According to her, the purpose of such a move is to be able to provide continuous sustainable generation and dissemination of all weather information including adequate forecasting for the enhancement of early warning. She added that they are trying to ensure that several agencies like the NDMA can be able to use that platform to provide early warning to various communities where disasters are meant to be occurred.

She revealed that the essence of the CIDMEWS launching is to enhance adequate weather information to prevent the re-occurrence of devastating situations that have been occurring in the country such as the August 17 mudslide, and could be crucial in serving as a way to help the country in preparing for further disasters that might occur.

 

High Court Sittings In Kambia, Segbwema Today

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The Judiciary of Sierra Leone has disclosed that Special High Court Criminal Sessions will be held for the first time in Segbwema Town, Kailahun District with 14 cases and Kambia Town, Kambia District with 24 cases from the 7th to the 15th November, 2022.

To achieve this, the Chief Justice has assigned the Resident Judge of Kailahun District and the Resident Judge of Port Loko District to preside over these cases brought before the High Court.

In addition to the nation wide ACCESS TO JUSTICE drive, November High Court Criminal Sessions will be held in Mattru Jong with 16 cases, Pujehun 18 cases, Magburaka 30 cases, Mongo Bendugu 6 cases, Bunumbu 3 cases and Koindu 4 cases from the 7th to the 22nd November 2022.

This medium learnt that this move is part of the Honourable Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards’ commitment to enhance access to justice and to further decongest correctional centers by ensuring that accused persons have the opportunity to be tried expeditiously in their respective localities.

It was stated that litigants who have cases before the High Court in Mattru Jong, Pujehun, Magburuka, Mongo, Bunumbu and Koindu and its environs should be present in Court from the 7th to the 22nd November, 2022 at 9:00am prompt.

According to the Judiciary’s Director of Information, these High Court Criminal Sessions are fully funded by the Judiciary of Sierra Leone courtesy of the Government of Sierra Leone and geared towards improving access to Justice. It is held in places where there are no sitting Judges.

 

Tuma Adama Gento-Kamara Features Among 100 Most Influential African Women in 2022

100 Most Influential African Women in 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Mrs Tuma Adama Gento-Kamara, the Chairperson of the National Revenue Authority (NRA) has been named in this year’s Avance Media 100 Most Influential African Women.

Mrs Gento-Kamara was appointed by President Julius Maada Bio in July 2021. She was recently appointed as the Vice President of the Belt and Road Tax Administration Corporation Mechanism (BRITACOM), the world’s largest Tax Administration Mechanism. Also, she is an avid entrepreneur, a strong advocate for human and economic rights, and a very passionate community development champion.

The Belt and Road Tax Administration Corporation Mechanism (BRITACOM) has re-elected Dr. Tuma Adama Gento- Kamara as Vice Chair of the BRITACOM for the next two years was made possible by representations from over 100 countries, various tax administrations and finance departments from over (160) tax jurisdictions along with (350) delegates, over fifty (50) international organizations and a number of academic institutions.

Mrs Gento- Kamara who represents Sierra Leone was elected along countries like the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Georgia and Uruguay. The re-election was a key highlight of the second Belt and Road Tax Administration Conference which kicked off on the 7th September 2021. The second BRITACOF is themed, “Digitalization of Tax Administration”.

During that event,  Mrs. Gento- Kamara said the theme is a very important leap for the future of taxation among BRITACOM Countries around the world. She especially singled out countries in Africa where the tax administration digitization revolution has just begun and says she looks forward to harnessing the potential of digitalization in Africa.

The “BRITACOM” is a non-profit official mechanism for tax administration corporation and promises to build the most broadly represented tax collaboration mechanisms for member countries, committing to tax administration cooperation service, tax dispute resolution and tax administration capacity building with the aim of promoting and sharing of experiences as well as best practices all geared towards building a community of shared future.

Some of the highlights of that year’s BRITACOF focused on tax Administration digitization, tax service digitization; tax related data governance and inter-agency tax business dialogues.

The conference also focused on supporting and reinforcing prevailing international standards such as the OECD and the UN model tax conventions on income and capital, the OECD transfer guidelines, the UN transfer pricing manual etc.

This second BRITACOF Conference witnessed, (50) tax administrations and international organizations signing up as observers.

It must be noted that the indefatigable Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the NRA, Tuma Adama Gento-Kamara was the proud recipient of an African Excellence in Public Office Award presented to her by the Coalition of Women in Africa for Peace and Development  at the Marriot Hotel during the 3rd edition of the African Women Summit held from 12th to 14th May 2022 in Kigali, Rwanda (the Land of a Thousand Hills). The award was in appreciation for her in the area of women empowerment and her sterling as well as tremendous positive and selfless contributions made by her so far in public affairs.

Besides, she has bagged other local as well as international awards for her selfless services to humanity and in public life.

The other public personality that was named in this year’s Avance Media 100 Most Influential African Women was the Mayor of the Freetown City Council, Yvonne Aki Sawyerr. Yvonne is the first female Mayor of Freetown in decades. She was elected into office in 2018, 25 years after working in the public and private sectors.

As the Mayor of a city with more than one million population, she has launched a three-year multi-pronged development plan called the “Transform Freetown initiative.” This initiative is covering the cleaning of Freetown’s streets, fixing drainage systems, planting a million trees, and implementing property tax reform.

It must be noted at this juncture that the annual publication presents a summary of African women who have climbed the corporate ladder, started their own businesses, or have been at the forefront of decision-making locally and globally.

This year’s list featured personalities like Presidents, Diplomats, CEOs, Scholars, Politicians, and Philanthropists. The publication presents a key opportunity for these women to be inspired and also continue in their strides of setting global standards and records.

The list also includes Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, Tiwa Savage, H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and many others.

 

100 Most Influential African Women in 2022

 

NP-SL is Determined to Continue Giving the Best of Products to Customers   

National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL-Ltd)

 By Amin Kef-Ranger

From what this medium learnt from the Management of one of the most enterprising companies in the country, NP-SL Ltd, the company is really set to roll out effective service delivery to its numerous and esteemed customers everywhere it is operating within the country and beyond. It was iterated that even though the company has been highly commended for doing so in the past yet it is more than ever determined to step up its operations with the avowed objective of giving out the best that members of the public really deserve.

Without any iota of exaggeration, forward-looking and business savvy Sierra Leoneans are indeed very proud of the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL-Ltd) which generally is known for short as NP. This pride large emanates from the mere fact that NP is a living testimony of determination, selflessness and hard work on the part of the original founders of the company who said nothing will deter them from achieving their dream of establishing a towering business entity that will serve as a beacon of hope for many.

From its humble beginning, years back, NP-SL has become the leading petroleum business entity in the country with its Filling Stations located in nearly all the districts of the country, marketing various petroleum products which have been rated to be of high quality.

A real manifestation of a result-oriented company that has been generally rated as highly focused on its viability and operations, is its opening of sub-regional branches in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia where there are functional filling stations rendering qualitative service delivery to esteem customers all in a bid to give value for money that definitely brings along utmost satisfaction. Gauging the views of many on this expansionist move on the part of the company most have commended it as one of the few indigenous business entities that have really taken such a remarkable leap ,worthy of emulation. They furthered that it is move that can be categorized as a shining projection of the country’s image to the outside world, telling the story of how Sierra Leoneans can positively make things happen with huge shared benefits to be derived by all and sundry.

One thing which, according to revelation, has helped the company to reach such a height is the proper harnessing of customer care. To ensure that such works effectively it was ensured that Customer Care should be prioritized to an extent that a whole unit was created with contact numbers which members of the public could use to channel all enquiries relating to the company’s activities and operations. This has been maintained in tact to such an extent that it has now become a tradition.

And when customers believe that they do matter and are catered for there is the tendency to become very loyal and compliant. It is an arrangement that is very advantageous to the company in the sense that inputs from customers have served as a roadmap or guide in taking important decisions. For instance, customers’ suggestions have led to the introduction of new petroleum products that could be procured from NP shops, rehabilitation of stations, improved attendance by the company’s attendants and a whole lot of other positive transformations. This bottom to top approach is a business tool that makes room for a liberal way of running the company by bringing customers on board for win-win outcomes.

From what was understood, through thorough research and interviews conducted, the shareholders and Management of the company are very keen on exploring various platforms through which customers could make their views and concerns more relevant as well as heightening customer care.

The company as a matter of fact is renowned for its proper implementation of its Corporate Social Responsibility that it has been steadily rolling out. In a country that is economically recovering from deep scars of bad governance and rampant corruption it is understandable that Government alone cannot undertake various development programmes which is why the contribution of the private sector is very much significant.

NP, indeed, has been on the side of the people of this country through thick and thin, always trying to complement the interventions of Government in fostering development. There are numerous things that the company has done in terms of improving standards of living, some of which they do not even want to mention as if they are showing off but doing so sincerely to better humanity.

When it comes to strict adherence to the country’s Local Content Policy the shareholders and Management of the company have made it a matter of must to get in its employ indigenes and even in cases where expatriates are engaged, local members of staff are given the opportunity to understudy them so that at the end of the day they will imbibe the necessary skills to take over. This is very advantageous in the sense that it helps in providing jobs and to develop a crop of competent individuals which the country needs in its development interventions.

Cooking is inextricably linked to human life or existence, whether for domestic or commercial purposes. Man depends on food for survival, individuals invest in food businesses and the like. Very mindful of the hazardous effects of depleting the environment, by using traditional means of cooking, here specifically talking of making use of wood, charcoal, the company deemed it prudent to introduce NP-Gas which is very fast to ignite, quick to perform, safe and highly convenient. NP Gas, which is in different sizable cylinders could be accessed at the company’s filling stations and authorized dealers, going at affordable prices.

The company has high profiled customers with tight schedules who may have limited time to always wait in queues in order to purchase petroleum products. Besides, some people are not used to havig huge cash in their possession but prefer using smart cards. For these reasons the company went the extra mile to introduce NP Smart Card which customers, those who can afford it, could use to purchase petroleum products. From what was so far gathered all the customers who are using NP Smart Card are well satisfied doing so saying it is very convenient further praising NP for rolling out that initiative.

One thing which cannot be challenged is the fact that NP, not only here in Sierra Leone but in other places where it is functioning, is greatly contributing to revenue accumulation when we think of its timely payment of taxes which Governments are using to fund various development projects.

Regardless, of all the teething challenges that stand in the way of NP, one of which is the depreciation of the Leone to the Dollar, as the company purchases petroleum products in dollars, yet still the company is navigating its way through murky economic waters.

Although all what have been said about the company is really laudable the heart of the matter is that it is not all that is rosy. Like other business entities, the company is grappling with loan recovery from its debtors running into billions of Leones. According to Management of the company it will be in the best interest of the company if those loans are paid so that it will continue to operate vibrantly.

But for now the company is determined to roll out more goodies which will considerable contribute to the socio –economic development of the countries where it is present.

 

 

Highlights of Xi Jinping’s speech at 5th CIIE opening ceremony

The opening ceremony of the 5th China International Import Expo (CIIE) kicked off in Shanghai on Friday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech via video at the opening ceremony of the 5th CIIE and the Hongqiao International Economic Forum. The following are some highlights of the speech.

China Int’l Import Expo a public good for the world

The CIIE has become a showcase of China’s new development paradigm, a platform for high-standard opening-up, and a public good for the whole world, President Xi Jinping said Friday.

Five years ago, China decided to hold the CIIE for the very purpose of expanding opening-up and turning its enormous market into enormous opportunities for the world, Xi said.

China to create new opportunities for the world with its own development

China will strive to create new opportunities for the world with its own development, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Friday.

“We will amplify the interplay between domestic and international markets and resources, strive to create new opportunities for the world with our own development, and contribute our share to building an open global economy,” he said.

China to share opportunities in its vast market

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday that China will work with all countries and parties to share the opportunities in its vast market.

“We will step up efforts to cultivate a robust domestic market, upgrade trade in goods, develop new mechanisms for trade in services, and import more quality products,” Xi said.

Efforts will also be made to establish pilot zones for Silk Road e-commerce cooperation and build national demonstration zones for innovative development of trade in services, in order to encourage innovation in trade and promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, he added.

China to share opportunities from its institutional opening-up

China will work with all countries and all parties to share the opportunities from its institutional opening-up, President Xi Jinping said.

China will steadily expand institutional opening-up with regard to rules, regulations, management and standards, put into full effect the new Catalogue of Encouraged Industries for Foreign Investment, and further develop the national integrated demonstration zone for greater openness in the service sector, Xi said.

“We will implement the strategy to upgrade pilot free trade areas, accelerate the Hainan Free Trade Port development, and tap into their role as pilot platforms for comprehensive reform and opening-up,” said Xi.

China to share opportunities from deepened international cooperation

President Xi Jinping said on Friday that China will work with all countries and all parties to share the opportunities from deepened international cooperation.

“We will engage fully and deeply in WTO’s reform negotiations, promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and enhance international macro-economic policy coordination, with a view to jointly fostering new drivers for global growth,” Xi said.

China will endeavor actively to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement to expand the globally-oriented network of high-standard free trade areas, Xi said.

The country will also firmly support other developing countries and assist them in growing faster, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Xi added.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency

Full text: Xi Jinping’s speech at the 5th CIIE opening ceremony

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech via video at the opening ceremony of the 5th China International Import Expo (CIIE) and the Hongqiao International Economic Forum on Friday.

Here is the full text of his speech:

Working Together for a Bright Future of Openness and Prosperity

Remarks by H.E. Xi Jinping

President of the People’s Republic of China

At the Opening Ceremony of the Fifth China International Import Expo

November 4, 2022

Your Excellencies Heads of State and Government,

Your Excellencies Heads of International Organizations,

Your Excellencies Heads of Delegations,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Friends,

Good evening! I would like to extend, on behalf of the Chinese government and people and also in my own name, a warm welcome and hearty greetings to all our guests attending the 5th China International Import Expo (CIIE).

Five years ago, I announced the decision to hold the CIIE for the very purpose of expanding China’s opening-up and turning our enormous market into enormous opportunities for the world. Today, the CIIE has become a showcase of China’s new development paradigm, a platform for high-standard opening-up, and a public good for the whole world.

Openness is a key driving force behind the progress of human civilizations and an intrinsic path toward global prosperity and development. The world today is confronted with accelerated changes unseen in a century as well as a sluggish economic recovery. We should commit ourselves to openness to meet development challenges, foster synergy for cooperation, build the momentum of innovation, and deliver benefits to all. We should steadily advance economic globalization, enhance every country’s dynamism of growth, and provide all nations with greater and fairer access to the fruits of development.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Friends,

As the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has underscored, China remains committed to the fundamental national policy of opening up to the outside world, pursues a mutually beneficial strategy of opening-up, and adheres to the right course of economic globalization. We will amplify the interplay between domestic and international markets and resources, strive to create new opportunities for the world with our own development, and contribute our share to building an open global economy.

—China will work with all countries and all parties to share the opportunities in its vast market. We will step up efforts to cultivate a robust domestic market, upgrade trade in goods, develop new mechanisms for trade in services, and import more quality products. We will establish pilot zones for Silk Road e-commerce cooperation and build national demonstration zones for innovative development of trade in services, so as to encourage innovation in trade and promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

—China will work with all countries and all parties to share the opportunities from its institutional opening-up. We will steadily expand institutional opening-up with regard to rules, regulations, management and standards, put into full effect the new Catalogue of Encouraged Industries for Foreign Investment, and further develop the national integrated demonstration zone for greater openness in the service sector. We will implement the strategy to upgrade pilot free trade areas, accelerate the Hainan Free Trade Port development, and tap into their role as pilot platforms for comprehensive reform and opening-up.

—China will work with all countries and all parties to share the opportunities from deepened international cooperation. We will engage fully and deeply in WTO’s reform negotiations, promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and enhance international macro-economic policy coordination, with a view to jointly fostering new drivers for global growth. We will endeavor actively to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA) to expand the globally-oriented network of high-standard free trade areas. We will firmly support other developing countries and assist them in growing faster, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Friends,

“After endless mountains and rivers that leave doubt whether there is a path out, suddenly one encounters the shade of a willow, bright flowers and a lovely village.” As this ancient Chinese poem indicates, the path is unfolding before us, and a brighter future beckons beyond. China is ready to work with all countries to practice true multilateralism, build more consensus for openness, jointly overcome the difficulties and challenges confronting global economic growth, and make sure that our commitment to openness will bring about broad prospects for global development.

Thank you!

(Cover: Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses the opening ceremony of the 5th CIIE via video, November 4, 2022. /Xinhua)

 

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