President Koroma launches first National Export Strategy
President Ernest Bai Koroma today launched the first National Export Strategy (NES) of Sierra Leone at the Miatta Conference Hall in Freetown.
Delivering the keynote address at the ceremony organized by the Sierra Leone Investment and Export Promotion Agency (SLIEPA), President Koroma said that on assumption of office in September 2007 he committed himself and his government to “a strategic change in our national focus, a change in our strategic thinking, a change in the way our national resources were managed, and a change in the fundamental way we undertook business as a nation.â€Â
The President noted that this commitment was based on his strong conviction that government would deliver better on its promises when it builds a strong partnership with the private sector, which is why in his ‘Agenda for Change’ the private sector is deemed “integral to our efforts at mobilizing the resources, expertise, and technology to implement programmes in government’s five priority areas of agriculture, infrastructure, energy, health, and education.â€
“We believe that a strong private sector-led export performance is one of the drivers of economic growth. The National Export Strategy that that we are launching here today encapsulates our vision of a country that grows its economy through strong exports,†the Head of State noted.
President Koroma said the world has become a more complex place to live in and undertake business, and therefore Sierra Leone has to be ready to meet the challenges of holding ground in a competitive global economy. He stressed that his government is determined to re-position Sierra Leone on the world map as the nation re-brands itself within the framework of change.
He referred to NES as a ‘Tactical Plan†for improving the national export performance within the framework of his ‘Agenda for Change’ and noted that “the strategy focuses on moving our national export performance from a position of comparative advantage to a position of competitive advantage,†while noting that this has been the reason behind the success of several East Asian and Southern African economies.
According to the President, Sierra Leone has abundant resources in the fisheries, agricultural, mineral and tourism sectors, as well as human resources, which he noted cannot by themselves bring about economic growth. He said it is the addition of value to our export resources and the creation of an enabling environment for export performance to a position of competitive advantage that can bring about a change for the better. The President said that it is with a sense of pride that he publicly acknowledges the NES document which has been designed and developed by our own experts, referring to it as a source of inspiration to all Sierra Leoneans, while calling on all to continue to take ownership of our national agenda. He commended SLIEPA and the team of Sierra Leoneans who, with support from the Commonwealth Secretariat, put together the document.
According to the President, the challenge now is to fully implement the recommendations of the strategy, noting that it is with such commitment by him and his government that he launches the National Export Strategy of Sierra Leone.
Giving the welcome address earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of SLIEPA, Mr. Patrick Caulker, said with the launching of NES, Sierra Leone is now well on its feet and now has the clear roadmap to bring back the past golden days of this nation.
The chairman for the occasion, Minister of Trade David Carew, in his remarks, thanked the Commonwealth for its support. He observed that the country has an export base in agriculture and fisheries which are responsible for 15 % of the nation’s export. While attributing the bad moments of the country’s export period to the closure of the Sierra Leone Produce Marketing Board (SLPMB) and the war, he said coffee and cocoa are now showing signs of recovery and that NES will enhance government’s revenue base for national development.
Other speakers included Chairperson of the Board of Directors of SLIEPA Gladys Strasser-King, Chairman of the Exporters’ Association Michael Kamara, Minister of Agriculture Dr. Sam Sesay, Fisheries Minister Joe Koroma, and Mineral Resources Minister Alpha Kanu.
After the launching of the document, the President was taken on a conducted tour of an exhibition organized by SLIEPA.
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2010, https:. All rights reserved.
