Sierra Leone Minister of Trade and Industry, Honorable Ibrahim Alpha Sesay, has addressed the Fourth Turkiye Business and Economic Forum and has shared President Julius Maada Bio’s Big Five priority programmes. Minister Sesay was accompanied by His Excellency Mohamed Hassan Kaisamba, Sierra Leone Ambassador to Turkiye, senior members from the Ministry of Trade and Industry; and other players in the business community. He further told the Forum that the Parliament of Sierra Leone had ratified the trade agreement with Türkiye, adding that the agreement on the Exemption of Double Taxation would help eradicate trade barriers between the two countries; thereby ensuring that the business climate is conducive to the extent that risk on large scale investment is kept at the barest minimum and returns on investments would also be rewarding.
He stressed the potential of the country’s blue economy; where he said that Sierra Leone has one of the world’s richest fishing grounds, with a coastline of approximately 500KM, and a 30,000 Kms continental shelf with a commercially viable stock of fish. “A quarter of our national budget will be directed to agriculture, to support the Feed Salone initiative. We are therefore looking for private sector investment in the agricultural value chain, as well as inputs and equipment”, he stated. In the tourism industry, Minister Sesay told the Forum that Sierra Leone has engaged in rebranding the sector and has been identified by key international media outlets like the Times; and called on investors to participate in the development of the sector. “As a country, Sierra Leone is open for business, particularly in the agricultural sector.
There are flexible laws and policies, including concessions that will attract Foreign Direct Investment. “We would like to invite Turkish investors to fully participate in this drive”, he noted.
Turkish Minister of Trade, Prof. Dr Ömer BOLAT, told the gathering that the forum is meant to delve into the challenges encountered in the realization of the economic potential of Türkiye and Africa and to chart out ways to unlock new opportunities. “Throughout the event, participants from Türkiye and African countries will find the opportunity to share their knowledge and to analyze roadblocks through dialogue, while identifying pathways for collaboration, innovation, and growth in sectors that hold immense promise for both Türkiye and Africa, such as agro-industries, healthcare and tourism”, he stated.
