By Politico staff writer
President Julius Maada Bio, has at the Third Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit, over the weekend encouraged Turkish investment in Sierra Leone, citing the advantages of the investment-friendly tax incentives and policies his government has put in place.
According to State House Communications Unit, President Bio made the call at the two-day Istanbul conference hosted by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to launch a new stage in Turkey’s relations with the African Union and African countries.
President Bio highlighted the initiatives his government has put in place, namely streamlined processes for expediting the establishment and protection of the interests of credible investors, and offering diverse opportunities in agriculture, fisheries, tourism, infrastructure, manufacturing, energy, and mining.
“Turkish businesses will continue to be favourably considered for various investment portfolios. We will spare no efforts to make the business ecosystem ever more conducive to attract more Turkish capital and for those companies to maximize returns on their investment,” he assured.”
He expressed his country’s profound gratitude for Turkey’s continued support and unfailing interest in the Government and people of the Sierra Leone. He said his government acknowledges and commends the activities of Turkish institutions and businesses in various sectors in Sierra Leone. He assured of his country’s commitment to strengthen the growing economic and trade ties between the two countries.
President Bio said his government in 2018 intensified diplomatic relations between the two countries that led to the establishment of Embassies in Freetown and Ankara, Turkey. He described that as a bold step forward the two countries have taken to consolidate and deepen their warm bilateral ties and cooperation in several areas.
The President said at national level, Turkey was for years a member of the Sierra Leone configuration of the United Nations Peace-building Commission and the country continued to provide development assistance to Sierra Leone in various ways through the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency.
He expressed the hope that the number of agreements, protocols, and Memoranda of Understanding signed and ratified with the Republic of Turkey would further strengthen and operationalize mutual cooperation.
While outlining the progress made in consolidating peace and democracy, ruling justly, and investing in people, Bio said his development aspirations were clearly spelt in his government’s comprehensive Medium-Term National Development Plan that was also aligned with both the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations and the 2063 Agenda of the African Union.
He added: “We believe that a skilled, healthy, and productive population is a critical enabler of sustainable and inclusive development. Ours is a commitment to do right by our people and we will continue implementing the right reforms that prime Sierra Leone for sustainable development.”
Sixteen other Heads of State from Africa and top government officials attended the summit.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online (20/12/21)
