AMBASSADOR MORIE FOFANA OPENS PRODUCE AND EXPORT TRADE FAIR,
By: Mohamed B Kallon
CAIRO – 21 February 2021: Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Egypt Morie Fofana officially opened the first Trade Fair organized by Hnsana W Nsadar group on the theme “we will produce and export”.
In a statement, Ambassador Fofana commended the businessmen and women for the honor bestowed on him and for the capital and efforts invested into the different types of products put on display. He applauded particularly the women who are bona-fide business owners and declared that Sierra Leone is looking for credible investors in the Small and Medium Enterprises sector. He declared that despite the COVID-19 situation, there is a need to invest the time available by ” building the capacities of the most vulnerable women and youth in society”. He also voices that women and youth issues are top priority on President Bio’s agenda in achieving 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
The Ambassador added that all efforts are geared towards enhancing the welfare and comfort of their people, pointing out clearly that welfare is not just limited to money but achieving dreams, occupying time with beneficial things, and feeling happy with good life. He praised the high quality Egyptian home products.
Dr. Hana El Husseiny, founder of Hnsana W Nsadar which comprises groups of investors declared that they were ready to sign cooperation with Sierra Leone Embassy. A vital component of the discussion captured their ambition to offer expertise in training Sierra Leoneans engaged in such types of businesses. She requested that the Sierra Leone Embassy helps in facilitating such business ventures for them in Sierra Leone. She pronounced that her group has investors who are looking for possible investment destinations like Sierra Leone. She also affirmed the necessity of developing a strategy that can work well for opening business ventures and extending the intended training courses to Sierra Leone for the middle level man power in natural products production. She further stated clearly that the aim of the Trade Fair was to bring together thousands of Local investors in the Small and Medium Enterprises sector to showcase how far Egyptians have gone to creating their own business ideas that will make them self-sufficient.
The Founder and Ambassador proposed the convening of a meeting with some potential investors before the end of the Trade Fair. The proposal was accepted by the Ambassador and the meeting was scheduled on Monday 22 February 2021.
The parties met at the Trade Fair ground on the scheduled date to discuss and put in place modalities to facilitate the setting up of business in Sierra Leone. Ambassador Fofana was accompanied by the Head of Chancery, Mr. Samuel Alie Kargbo and Secretary to Ambassador Soha Zamzam, Hassan Thabat Howaidy, Chairman Africa Exports (AFEX ), and Dr. Osama Ahmed Abdullah, Owner and General Manager of Tiba Import and Exports Company were present. Discussions were focused on ways of getting technical information about areas of investment, the opportunities available on the ground, the types of investments needed and ease of doing business in Sierra Leone
The Head of Chancery in the Sierra Leone Embassy in Cairo, Samuel Alie Kargbo, gave an overview of the business climate in Sierra Leone and provided clarifications on issues raised.
At the end of the deliberations it was agreed that further concerns relating to processes and procedures aimed at developing a road map towards having an investment partnership in Sierra Leone .The parties also agreed on intensifying efforts of sharing more information about what is needed in a way that fulfills the aspirations of the investors.
In a similar context, the Sierra Leone Embassy emphasized the importance of continuous consultation and coordination between both sides before going into an agreement that will be of mutual interest. The meeting was followed by a conducted tour of the displayed category of products and services the business house has put on promotion in the trade fair.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Mr. Samuel A. Kargbo expressed his profound thanks and appreciation to the organizers for what he re referred to as “a successful and intuitive meeting”. He further conveyed the Embassy’s commitment to ensuring that the common goal of ensuring the setting on of Egyptian Small Business in Sierra Leone is achieved.