By Nasratu Kargbo
President Julius Maada Bio has on the 19th June 2022 held bilateral discussions with the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamin bin Hamad Al Thani during which he expressed Sierra Leone’s focus on mechanized farming.
President Bio said focus will be on agriculture through mechanized farming and private sector partnership, saying that with proper and accurate investment in agriculture, the country would become an exporting nation.
President Bio explained the progress the government has made in the different sectors such as education, and corruption among others. He also thanked the Emir for the hospitality.
In his statement, Sheikh Al Thani said President Bio’s visit was an opportunity to renew the bilateral relations between the two countries, stating that Sierra Leone is an important partner to the State of Qatar.
He noted that the bilateral engagements must be beneficial to both countries and applauded Bio for the progress he has made in the past four years.
Later, the two leaders witnessed the signing of six Memoranda of Understandings between the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Sierra Leone Professor, David J. Francis and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
The six MoUs signed include Cooperation in the field of Education, Higher Education and Science Research, the Establishment of a Joint Committee for Cooperation, Cooperation in the Legal Field, and Cooperation in the field of Tourism and Business Events. An agreement was signed on Mutual Administrative Assistance for Optimal Application of Customs Laws and Repression, Investigation and Combating Violations and an agreement concerning Regulation of the Employment of Sierra Leone Workers in the State of Qatar.
The President, the First Lady Fatima Bio and delegation arrived in Doha over the weekend for a four-day state visit.
Sheikh Al Thani has embarked on a series of tours to Africa since he took over from his late father, and hosted a large number of African leaders in Doha more than any other Gulf leader.
From East to West Africa, the Emir has discussed issues and signed many investment and economic pacts, memoranda and other initiatives aimed at boosting economic partnerships with those countries.
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