Deputy Trade Minister Impressed with S/Leone High Commission Support
Sierra Leone’s Deputy Trade and Industry Minister Hon. Mabinty Daramy has on-behalf of her visiting team, expressed appreciation to the Headship of Sierra Leone High Commission in Abuja, Nigeria for giving her the necessary support to carry out her official duties at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). (Photo: Hon. Deputy Minister Mabinty Daramy & High Commissioner Macauley bordered by Embassy Officials)
Speaking during a courtesy call on H.E. Henry O. Macauley, Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Central African Countries and the Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, Hon. Daramy said she was in Nigeria, to showcase some of the virtues in Sierra Leone, and potentials in the President Ernest Bai Koroma Government, in a two days conference “ Aid For Trade†to review its annual activities scheduled for Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th respectively at Asokoro in Abuja, Nigeria.
“I am very grateful for the reception I got on arrival in Lagos, and Abuja Federal Capital respectively.
I am also appreciative of the support I received from your Mission during and after my presentation at ECOWAS.â€
She described Sierra Leone’s Chancery on Plot 308 Mission Road, in Abuja, Nigeria as beautiful, clean and well taken care of.
She prayed for unison to be among the Mission staff and said I am happy about the way I see you.
Reiterating Government policy on trade, Hon. Mabinty Daramy said trade policy is already part of President Ernest Bai Koroma’s general strategy for poverty reduction.
She described trade as an engine for economic growth and development and said government’s commitment in this regard is reflected in President Koroma’s declaration of running Sierra Leone as a business with the private sector playing a lead role.
She said Government Agenda for Change is focused on addressing key productive sectors of Agriculture, Energy, and Infrastructure with a view to Promoting Trade and Development.
She said the government has entered into an active period of economic reform to help unlock the latent wealth in the country.
Between 2007- 2009,the following reforms were made to the Sierra Leone investment environment: the Investment Promotion Act 2007, The Business Registration Act 2007,The General Law Act 2007, and The Companies Act , The Bankruptcy Act and The payment systems Act, all of 2009, which were passed by parliament to support the business environment.
Consequently, this has caused simpler start up procedures with the establishment of a one – stop shop for business registration, stronger investment protections with a new company Law that enhanced investor liability and improved disclosure requirements, better banking payment system that ensures all payments are performed electronically and in line with ECOWAS monetary policies, clearer tax system with better training and equipment making it easier to pay taxes, along with a consolidated income tax act, and a new Goods and Services Tax that replaces seven sales taxes, and create better access to credit by allowing the use of fixed and floating charges over company assets.
Responding, H.E. Henry O. Macauley thanked the Honorable Minister for her compliments, and said “that is why we are here to compliment Government’s work. “ As permanent Representative to ECOWAS, it is incumbent upon me to make sure that Sierra Leone is well represented at any forum at ECOWASâ€.
The High Commissioner complemented the Head of Chancery James T Sawi for the status of the Chancery.
He said it is to his pleasure to receive the Honorable Minister and appealed to all Government official coming to the Federal Republic of Nigeria on official business, to make sure they inform the High Commission through the Communications Unit of Ministry of Foreign Affairs about their trips and also their traveling itineraries for the necessary diplomatic courtesies to be accorded them.
The Deputy Minister left Lagos Sunday for Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Pasco Gerald Temple, Information attaché, Sierra Leone High Commission, Abuja, NigeriaÂ
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