HoC Kondeh Marketing Sierra Leone at the ICD
Sierra Leone has continued to receive more attention from international partners regarding its socio economic potentials, good governance and infrastructural development. Concerted efforts are being made not only by political leaders to rebrand the country’s image after a horrible past, but also meaningful Sierra Leoneans including government functionaries working in respective missions abroad.
Among them is Sierra Leone’s Head of Chancery to the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Al-Hassan K. Kondeh. He has engaged academics and business experts in Germany to discuss investment potentials and good governance in post conflict Sierra Leone. The discussion which was organized by the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD) was aimed at exploring new strategies for the strengthening of intercultural relations and rebranding of nations to attract investment across Africa.
In his exposé, the Head of Chancery presented Sierra Leone as an ideal place for investment pointing out that the country offers abundant raw materials, (including high quality minerals, agricultural products); great natural beauty, and a very warm people. According to him “…Sierra Leone is a country that is full of investment opportunities to genuine investors and also a paradise on earth for potential tourist to Africa.” Mr. Kondeh attributed this to the attractive business climate in the country, coupled with the storming beaches and vast natural resources. It is against this backdrop that he encouraged potential business people to invest in the country which is rated among the best environment for business in Africa.
ICD reception during the programme
While investors are keen to know whether favorable conditions are provided by government for investment in Sierra Leone, Mr. Kondeh said there are attractive incentives in key economic sectors like trade, agriculture and tourism. As a way of encouraging foreign investments, he went on, the Sierra Leone Investment and Export Promotion Agency (SLIEPA), was established and charged with the responsibility of providing relevant information and facilitate the registration of companies to do business in the country while at the same time provide support, through experienced professionals, to companies during the teething stage of their business.
In an effort to achieve sustainable economic growth in the country, he said government has been seriously engaged in infrastructural development across the country, while serious efforts are being made to increase energy generation nationwide. To guarantee investments in the agriculture sector, Mr. Kondeh informed of the setting up of a Committee to look at the current land tenure system with a view to formulating a National Land Policy for Sierra Leone.
Mr. Kondeh making a point
Concluding his statement, the head of Chancery encouraged all present at the forum to seize the current investment opportunities existing in Sierra Leone to do genuine business in a country that guarantees them maximum profit on their investments.
