Vietnam Envoy Assures High Commissioner Macauley of Stronger Duo Countries Tie

Vietnam Chief of Mission to the Federal Republic of Nigeria H.E. Do Van Bach, has assured Sierra Leoneâ€™s High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria H.E Henry O. Macauley of his Countryâ€™s stance to not only maintain its original ties with Sierra Leone, but also to make it stronger and stronger through cooperation in the areas of Trade, Agriculture, Manufacturing and capacity building.

Addressing H.E. Macauley during a Courtesy call at his plot 308 Mission Road Chancery in Abuja, Wednesday March 17^th the Vietnam Chief of Mission said Sierra Leone and Vietnam have a tie that is over thirty years old, while at the same time expressing his happiness over a planned visit of the Deputy Vietnamese Agriculture Minister to Sierra Leone, under the auspices of Sierra Leoneâ€™s Agriculture Minister Dr Sam Sesay.

â€œI am also here to explore possibilities of establishing a training partnership by Swap over of personnel, which is part of Vietnamâ€™s policy, because it is one of several means by which transfer ofÂ knowledge and capacity building can be effected. â€œHis Excellency, as I speak, there are some Vietnamese Agriculture experts here in the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Edo and Ekiti States respectively transferring knowledge to Nigerian Agriculturists in the area of rice and rubber plantationsâ€. Said the Vietnamese envoy.

He requested an update on the investment policy of Sierra Leone, the present state of oil exploration and the state of agriculture in the country.

Responding, Sierra Leoneâ€™s High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria H.E. Henry O. Macauley thanked the Vietnamese envoy for his visit and said, â€œI am always excited when people enquire to do something in my countryâ€.

He said Agriculture is foremost in the agenda of the President Ernest Bai Koroma led Government of Sierra Leone.

H.E. Macauley said President Ernest Bai Koroma has been heralded champion of Agriculture in West Africa, because of the level of enthusiasm and type farming, (mechanized) to be precise which the Government has now embarked on.

He said Sierra Leone has a tropical rain forest that is coupled with friendly Agricultural weather and fertile soil.

â€œVery recently, the President Ernest Bai Koroma led Government made available, more than two hundred tractors Â and other farming equipments in recent times in addition to a good number of initial tractors distributed to farmers last year. â€œThat notwithstanding, more are needed.

In the area of trade, H.E. Macauley said Sierra Leone has a very friendly business atmosphere, because Repatriation of funds is easier and well secured, and we now have stable electricity.

Â He said the government has introduced new Companies Act, an update from the original Act (passed in 1960) and which brings Sierra Leone in line with international company legislation standards.He also spoke of the Bankruptcy Act, which is completely new to Sierra Leone, and makes it easier for individuals to declare bankruptcy and close a business. â€œThe Payment Systems Act, which ensures that payments are done properly and electronically and in line with international Policy. The Goods and Services Act which provides the framework for the implementation and operation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), a value added tax on the domestic consumption of goods and/or services (not exports), and paid as a percentage of their monetary value at the time they are soldâ€. The High Commissioner said GST has replaced a number of existing indirect taxes and as a result, increase the efficiency and cost effectiveness of Sierra Leoneâ€™s taxation system.

He presented the Vietnamese envoy with some brochures on trade in Sierra Leone and further provided him with some websites including that of the Sierra Leone High Commission in Nigeria,SLEIPA, Ministry of Trade and the Website of President Ernest Bai Koroma.

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