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After Hajj…Foreign Minister Meets Top Saudi Investors and Receives Gifts From APC

Author: Alhaji Jalloh - Saudi Arabia

On the successful conclusion of her Hajj, the indefatigable Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Haja Zainab Hawa Bangura wasted no time a few hours before she left the shores of Saudi Arabia last week in wooing potential investors for the country in accordance with the mandate given to her by H.E the President, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma. (Photo: Ambassador Munu and HOC Yilla with Saudi Investors)

Sierra Leoneans would recall that His Royal Highness, Prince Saad Bin Abdul–Aziz S.J Al-Saud had upon the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Haja Zainab Hawa Bangura dispatched two of his main lieutenants, Project Coordinator and Adviser to the Prince, Abdul Karim Bin Muhammad Al- Taheni and Minister for the Prince, Ahmed M. Al-Magrebi to Sierra Leone. These two high profile officials had made two substantial business evaluation visits to the country on behalf of the Prince, early this year and past October.

The visits culminated in the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Ministries of Transport and Aviation, Tourism and Culture, and Agriculture and Food Security, among other ministries, for the construction of a new airport and the development of the Sierra Leone Airport Authority (SLPA), the refurbishment and rehabilitation of the Cape Sierra Hotel to a first class hotel and the production of abundant rice throughout the year for home consumption and export respectively.

Following the signing of the MOU, the Honourable Foreign Minister had also written a letter of invitation to the Prince to visit Sierra Leone next year (date to be disclosed later) as guest of His Excellency, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma.

In a meeting with the two envoys of the Prince who flew from the national capital, Riyadh, over 1,000 Kilometers to meet the Honourable Foreign Minister at her Jeddah Conference Palace Hotel, the latter reiterated the desire of President Ernest Bai Koroma to receive Prince Saud in Sierra Leone in order to actualize the various MOUs signed with the line ministries, all of which she said, are meant for the socio-economic development of Sierra Leone.

She further assured the envoys that her government was ready to cooperate with them in all aspects to ensure that the contents of the various MOUs signed are fully implemented. She also took the opportunity to inform them about the just concluded Sierra Leone Trade and Investment Forum in the UK which attracted over 1,000 participants, including the Prince of UAE, theÂ Prince of Bahrain, CEO’s of reputable companies across the world, the OIC, Saudi Fund etc.

She explained to them that in 2007, the Sierra Leone Investment and Export Promotion Agency was created to assist investors by creating a “one stop shop” for starting a business. She further told the two high profile officials that last year, the International Finance Corporation’s “Doing Business” guide ranked Sierra Leone high in terms of ease of doing business in West Africa. Sierra Leone, she added, is also top when it comes to investor protection with flexible tax rates.Â “A new investment incentive has been put in place creating a level playing field for investors,” she assured.

Responding, the Adviser and Project Coordinator, extended greetings from the Prince, whom he said was “unavoidably absent” due to other urgent overseas engagements. He told the Minister that the Prince is desirous of investing in Sierra Leone and therefore seeks the cooperation of the government for the successful implementation of the project signed in the MOU.

He further informed the Minister that he and his colleague, who is the Minister for the Prince, have painted a rosy and fruitful picture of investment opportunity in Sierra Leone, adding that, when the traveling arrangements to Sierra Leone for the prince have been finalized, His Highness, will be accompanied by a group of 9 Gulf Cooperation and Middle East investors, all of whom will invest in various sectors of the Sierra Leone economy.

And Meets APC Executive, Saudi Arabia

In another engagement, Haja Zainab Bangura and other members of her delegation, Minister of Internal Affairs and Local Government , Honourable Alhaji Sulaiman Dauda Kamara, Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs, Honourable Haja Jenneh Kandeh, received gifts (Plaques) from members of the All People’s Congress (APC) Saudi Arabia Chapter at the Jeddah Conference Palace in a brief but colourful ceremony.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the ceremony, H.E. Ambassador, Wusu B.Â Munu described the gifts as “a gesture of good will.” He outlined some of the achievements of the party in Saudi Arabia and encouraged them to continue their good work.

Presenting the gifts on behalf of his executive, the Chairman, Sorie Kanu, said: “It is in the spirit of patriotism and respect for our government functionaries that we are here to present you with these plaques as tokens of our recognition and appreciation of the exemplary roles that each of you has played since you were appointed ministers by His Excellency, the President, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma.”

Receiving the gifts on behalf of her colleagues, the Foreign Minister thanked the APC Saudi Arabia Chapter for the gifts. “I bring you greetings from Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma.Â I am very delighted and grateful to receive these gifts from you today and it is an indication that you have love and interest for your country,” she said.

She informed them that about the giant strides the president is making to develop Sierra Leone. “Despite the challenges, the President is doing extremely well in improving the socio-economic development of Sierra Leone. His dreams and vision for the country are completely unique.”

Explaining the successes of APC government, the Minister added, President Koroma’s vision for Sierra Leone is embodied in his Agenda For Change program, a venture, she said, under the leadership of President Koroma, has been dramatic in the improvement of electricity supply, good road networks , health care delivery, food security, education,Â jobs etc.

She added that the Agenda for Change has also given priority to areas such as, Agriculture and Food Security, Energy and Water Resources, Infrastructure and Transportation, Human Development, among many areas of development. She observed that in the past, Sierra Leoneans had been deprived of electricity, water, health care and jobs for the youths. The Agenda for Change, the minister continued, is a production and employment oriented approach to poverty reduction as well as a development-driven approach.

She however urged them to work diligently in supporting their country and the party headquarters in Freetown. “You are fortunate to be in a holy land.Â Don’t forget to make frequent visits to the Kaa’ba and offer prayers for the country and its leadership. Â “It is an opportunity for Sierra Leone to have such a leader who cares about the welfare of his people.”Â

The minister urged them to continue their good working relationship with the Embassy and appealed for helping in rebuilding and rebranding of Sierra Leone. “I will extend your greetings to the President and government of Sierra Leone,” she concluded.

Earlier, Ambassador Alhaji Dauda Kamara and Haja Jenneh Kandeh who are part of the minister’s delegation under the auspices of the Saudi Royal Protocol DepartmentÂ thanked the APC members for the gesture and promised to report their good work to the party headquarters in Freetown. “It is a blessing for the party to be represented in this holy land where millions converge every year to pray to the Almighty Allah,” Ambassador Dauda said.

Zainab Bangura Receives other Gifts

In a related engagement, the Head of Chancery, Mr. Ibrahim S. Yilla and Information AttachÃ©, Alhaji Jalloh, presented gifts (shields) on behalf of the “Da’awa” Committee (responsible for educating Pilgrims on Religious rites) in Riyadh, which is supervised by the Embassy of Sierra Leone.

L-R Hon. Zainab Bangura, Ambassador Munu, Ambassador Dauda, and Hon. Jenneh Kandeh pose for the press after receiving gifts

Presenting the gifts on behalf of the Chairman, Sheik Mohamed Baila Bah, Coordinator, Mr. Ibrahim Yousuf Sillah and other members, Mr. Yilla told the ministers that the aforementioned members were absent due to “Post-Hajj engagements” in Mecca where they have been carrying out their Daa’waÂ activities.

Mr. Yilla warmly congratulated the Ministers on behalf of the Daa’wa Committee for having successfully performed Hajj in good health. (Watch out for interview with the Coordinator of the Daa’wa Committee soon.)

One of the plaques presented to the Ministers

Receiving the gifts on behalf of her delegation, Haja Zainab said she was proud to receive the gifts and thanked the members for their good job they have done for Sierra Leonean pilgrims over the years. She promised to extend their greetings to the government and people of Sierra Leone.

By Alhaji Jalloh, Information AttachÃ©, Sierra Leone Embassy, Riyadh

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