Sierra Leone participates in international trade fair in Germany – Tourism Minister woos investors
The Minister of Tourism and Culture, Mrs Victoria Saidu Kamara, has urged international investors and private sector magnates across the globe to invest in Sierra Leone. (Photo: IPC travel representative at the trade fair)
She made this utterance at the ongoing International Trade Fair in Berlin, Germany.
Mrs Victoria said her country’s participation in the Trade Fair is a unique opportunity to market its rich potentials and investment opportunities.
She said Sierra Leone has regained its rightful place in areas of investment, eco tourism and infrastructural development. Those areas, she emphasised, require international attention in order to accelerate economic growth in the country.
Sierra Leone delegation posing at the trade fair stand
The minister dismissed rumours that are still associated with the ten-year civil conflict in the country. “We are no longer in war. Sierra Leone is now into business and we are looking for partners who could come and work with us.”
She reiterated the peace and stability the country now enjoys since the war ended in 2001. Other development programmes undertaken by her government in the country, she went on, depicts a business friendly atmosphere in Sierra Leone.
While using the forum to learn from other participants across the world, Mrs Victoria emphasised her country’s rich potentials and stressed its incompatibility with other sister countries in the sub region.
“The only problem that affects our tourism industry is poor publicity. We have not been able to effectively showcase Sierra Leone over the years. I will now take upon my self to remedy that situation henceforth,” she assured.
She further encouraged all Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad, to desist from negative propaganda and work towards promoting the country through national development.
The Director General of the Sierra Leone National Tourist Board, Mr. Cecil Williams, said they are determined to lure investors and encourage them to go and see what the country has on offer.
According to him, “Sierra Leone is a virgin market as far as tourism is concern. We have great opportunities and this is the best time for people to go and invest.”
Director General of the Sierra Leone National Tourist Board, Mr. Cecil Williams, strategising with officials of the ministry
Mr Williams said investors would soon start to flourish after realising the country’s rich potentials.
He urged the international market to swiftly take their business expertise to the country, as he rightly put it, “In five years time it will be difficult to have a place for investment.”
The Director said his government does not want to promote mass tourism but rather, middle and up market tourism to increase government revenues and high quality of visitors.
He described the Trade Fair as the right forum to market and promote Sierra Leone as an attractive destination. “That is why we have brought with us several brochures, posters, promotional literature, food and even DVDs that give an overview of Sierra Leone. We also have artifacts like traditional clothes, shoes, etc., to sustain the interest of the visitors,” he said.
Mr Williams lauded the efforts of the Sierra Leone government and private sector in ensuring their participation at the International Trade Fair.
He further thanked the Sierra Leone mission in Germany, under the dynamic leadership of His Excellency, Jongopie Siaka Stevens and his Head of Chancery, Mr. Al-hassan K Kondeh, in making their work a success.
Representatives from the private sector included among others, the Country Lodge, IPC Travel Agency, KTI, Luawa Resort Hotel in Kailahun, and Family Kingdom among the delegation.
By Umaru S. Jah, Berlin
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