Lungi Bridge Construction… Foreign Affairs Minister Led A High-Level Delegation To China

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Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation, Professor David Francis, has led a high-level delegation to the People’s Republic of China.

The delegation which comprises the Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof. David Francis, Minister of Finance, Sheku Fantamadi Bangura, and Ambassador Ernest M Ndomahina, on Tuesday, held a fruitful bilateral discussion with His Excellency Qin Gang, the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs on key strategic areas to enhance growth and development in President Bio’s second term after June 2023.

Key to the discussion was the financing models for the construction of the Lungi Bridge, an increase in trade and investment between the two countries, and investment in the agricultural sector.

In welcoming the delegation, the Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, committed to lead, mobilize, and coordinate the needed support for the construction of the Lungi Bridge.

The delegation also engaged the China Development Bank and the China Exim Bank on government priorities on agriculture, construction of the Lungi Bridge, trade, and investment.

As the Special Envoy of His Excellency the President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, the Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation, Professor Francis said that the engagement was part of President Bio’s government agenda in strengthening the long-standing bilateral relations & multilateral cooperation in areas of trade & investment & support for global peace and security between Sierra Leone & China.

From the Strategic Communications Dept.
MoFAIC Building,
Tower Hill, Freetown.
±23276571819.

Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation Receives New UNICEF Country Representative, Calls For More Collaboration

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MoFAIC building, Tower Hill, Freetown, 12th May 2023

The Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation, Professor David Francis has welcomed the newly appointed Country Representative for the United Nations Children’s Fund, (UNICEF), Rudolf Schwenk in his office.

In his address, Professor Francis said the Government of His Excellency the President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, has always maintained an open-door policy for diplomats and development partners.
He commended UNICEF for an excellent working relationship with the Ministry of Basic & Senior Secondary School, the Ministry of Labor, and the Office of the First Lady in promoting girl-child issues.

“Focusing on children and women are key priorities of this government. We have legislated the Gender Equality and Women Empowerment law which seeks to give 30% elective positions to women, 30% appointment positions to women, and 30% private financial access to them.

His Excellency the President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has focused on three pillars of development: Education, health, and agriculture. We have allocated 22% of our GDP towards education and that has translated into 2 million pupils returning to school.
As this government looks forward to working with you, I believe with the continuous support from UN agencies like UNICEF, we can achieve a lot,” Professor Francis added.
He also called on the UNICEF Country Representative to explore the beauty of Sierra Leone by visiting other places outside Freetown.

Professor Francis called on Mr. Schwenk to serve as Sierra Leone’s Goodwill Ambassador as the country seeks to return to the non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (2024/25).

Presenting his Letter of Credence to the Minister, Mr. Schwenk said that, the work of UNICEF cannot be underestimated in any country as it cuts across most of the sectors including health, education, and children’s affairs.

He promised to closely work with government agencies through collaboration on development areas.

For More Inquiries:
Contact the MoFAIC Directorate of Communications
Tower Hill, Freetown
±23276571819

Strengthening Economic & Bilateral Ties… Sierra Leone & Morocco Hold 3rd Joint Commission for Cooperation

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Dakhla, Morocco- 28th April 2023

To enhance effective and efficient bilateral relations, the Government of Sierra Leone held the 3rd Joint Commission for Cooperation with the Kingdom of Morocco.

Under the Joint Commission for Cooperation, thirteen agreements were signed ranging from Agriculture, Trade and Investment, Tourism, Energy, Health, Education, Justice Sector, Land and Urban Planning, Mining sector, and Infrastructure.

Welcoming the Sierra Leone delegation, the Morocco Minister of Foreign Affairs and Moroccans Living Abroad H. E. Nasser Bourita, said that Sierra Leone and Morocco have maintained longstanding bilateral relations ranging from 1996 to date.

Underscoring the significance of the Dakhla agreements, H. E Bourita said that, both Legal teams from Sierra Leone and Morocco’s Foreign Ministries did well in drafting the various agreements which are in the best interest of both countries.
H. E Bourita highlighted the significant benefit of Dakhla city where the Morocco government is constructing a mega port to ease trade and investment in the country, noting that the signing of the agreement in Dakhla, is a manifestation of their commitment towards a sustainable investment partnership with Sierra Leone.

“Sierra Leone under the enlightened leadership of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio is becoming a strategic partner with a special development model.
With these Dakhla agreements, we will be able to take advantage and explore opportunities in the mining sector, agriculture, energy, and more areas,” he assured.

Leading the Sierra Leone delegation, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Professor David Francis, described Morocco as a trustworthy, and reliable partner.

“What we are doing here today is in line with the goals and aspirations of our two leaders; His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio and His Majesty the King of Morocco Mohammed the 6th. We are not just friends, or partners, we are allies. Your interest is our interest.
We are also here to learn from the development models of Morocco as agreements signed today, cover the critical aspect of a country that aspires to middle-income status. President Bio has established a credible institution known as the National Investment Board that ensures the protection of Foreign Direct Investment in the country,” Professor Francis assured while emphasizing the mutual benefits of the agreements.

The Minister said that the launching of the Special Industrial Zone by President Bio over the week is a manifestation of the existence of peace and security in the country.

Professor Francis also highlighted developments in the area of fighting corruption, abolition of the death penalty, gender empowerment, the repeal of the Criminal Libel Laws, the successful implementation of Free Quality Education, and other reforms under the leadership of President Bio.
He commended the leadership of Morocco for promoting Global peace and security amidst rising tensions in the region while calling for the support of Morocco in Sierra Leone’s bid for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (2024-25).

On the part of the Minister of Trade & Industry, Dr. Hinga Sandy, commended the agreements as they form an integral part of the principles of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement which both countries have signed to.

Morocco’s Port of Dakhla & the Special Industrial Zone in Sierra Leone Share Common Economic Values

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Professor David Francis Tells His Moroccan Counterparts

During his recent visit to the Kingdom of Morocco, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation, Professor David Francis highlighted the economic benefit of the Special Industrial Zone that was recently commissioned by His Excellency the President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio in Koya, outside Freetown.

During their fruitful bilateral engagement, Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs & Moroccans Living Abroad, H. E Nasser Bourita, said Morocco is currently constructing a new Atlantic port in Dakhla, and when completed will be the biggest port in Morocco.
This according to H. E. Nasser Bourita, is in line with the kingdom’s investment policies to expand its economic and trade base in Africa.

Revealing the economic potential of the Special Industrial Zone, Professor Francis said that, the establishment of Sierra Leone’s Industrial Zone outside the capital city of Freetown is in line with the investment policies of the New Direction government of His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio to enable foreign direct investments in the country through the development of a port and rail system in the Koya Industrial Zone (SiZ-Koya).
Professor Francis said that the Port of Dakhla and the Special Economic Zone in Sierra Leone share common trade values aiming to ease business in Africa.

“Sierra Leone is a land of opportunities in various sectors. His Excellency the President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has launched a Special Industrial Zone in Koya, the outskirts of the capital city where over 50 companies will be hosted to establish various factories and manufacturing companies. When you invest in Sierra Leone, you are not just doing so for the 7+ million Sierra Leoneans but for the over 450 million people in the sub-region. This is because, Sierra Leone is strategically located within the Atlantic Ocean, thereby making it easy to trade across the world.
We have a President that is not just focused on making Sierra Leone attractive for doing business, but also ensuring that every foreign direct investment in the country is protected. I want to use this opportunity on behalf of His Excellency the President Dr. Julius Maada to invite the WALI and private investors in Morocco to lead a special trade envoy to Sierra Leone which I believe will lead to more investment between our two countries,” he said.

Professor Francis called on his Moroccan counterparts to ensure the timely implementation of the Dakhla Agreements that were signed by both Ministers on behalf of their respective countries.
The Dakhla Agreement seeks to promote among others trade and investment, energy, agriculture, housing, and education.

For More Inquiries:
Contact the Directorate of Strategic Communications
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tower Hill, Freetown.
+23276571819

Strengthening Economic & Bilateral Ties…Sierra Leone & Morocco Hold 3rd Joint Commission for Cooperation.

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To enhance effective and efficient bilateral relations, the Government of Sierra Leone held the 3rd Joint Commission for Cooperation with the Kingdom of Morocco.
Under the Joint Commission for Cooperation, thirteen agreements were signed ranging from Agriculture, Trade and Investment, Tourism, Energy, Health,  Education, Justice Sector, Land and Urban Planning, Mining sector, and Infrastructure.
Welcoming the Sierra Leone delegation, the Morocco Minister of Foreign Affairs and Moroccans Living Abroad H. E. Nasser Bourita, said that Sierra Leone and Morocco have maintained longstanding bilateral relations ranging from 1996 to date.
 Underscoring the significance of the

Dakhla agreements, H. E Bourita said that, both Legal teams from Sierra Leone and Morocco’s Foreign Ministries did well in drafting the various agreements which are in the best interest of both countries.

H. E Bourita highlighted the significant benefit of Dakhla city where the Morocco government is constructing a mega port to ease trade and investment in the country, noting that the signing of the agreement in Dakhla, is a manifestation of their commitment towards a sustainable investment partnership with Sierra Leone.
“Sierra Leone under the enlightened leadership of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio is becoming a strategic partner with a special development model.
With these Dakhla agreements, we will be able to take advantage and explore opportunities in the mining sector, agriculture, energy, and more areas,” he assured.
Leading the Sierra Leone delegation, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Professor David Francis, described Morocco as a trustworthy, and reliable partner.
“What we are doing here today is in line with the goals and aspirations of our two leaders; His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio and His Majesty the King of Morocco Mohammed the 6th. We are not just friends, or partners, we are allies. Your interest is our interest. 
We are also here to learn from the development models of Morocco as agreements signed today, cover the critical aspect of a country that aspires to middle-income status. President Bio has established a credible institution known as the National Investment Board that ensures the protection of Foreign Direct Investment in the country,” Professor Francis assured while emphasizing the mutual benefits of the agreements.
The Minister said that the launching of the Special Industrial Zone by President Bio over the week is a manifestation of the existence of peace and security in the country.
Professor Francis also highlighted developments in the area of fighting corruption, abolition of the death penalty, gender empowerment, the repeal of the Criminal Libel Laws, the successful implementation of Free Quality Education, and other reforms under the leadership of President Bio.
He commended the leadership of Morocco for promoting Global peace and security amidst rising tensions in the region while calling for the support of Morocco in Sierra Leone’s bid for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (2024-25).

On the part of the Minister of Trade & Industry, Dr. Hinga Sandy, commended the agreements as they form an integral part of the principles of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement which both countries have signed to.