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Following President Bio recent visit to China In March, a delegation of business leaders from the People’s Republic of China, has paid a courtesy call on officials of Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC) in Freetown on 6th May 2024.
The Chinese business leaders, who were in Sierra Leone on an eight-day visit, were from Shenzhen, a city and a special economic zone in the Guangdong Province of China, and were interested to invest in agriculture, mining, fishing, energy, transportation, infrastructure, among other areas.
Head of delegation, Madam Eva Wu, said the Chinese business leaders, who are not working for the government were mainly from the private sector, but added that in China, private business people enjoy huge support from the government.
She noted that President Bio’s state visit to China in February 2024 marked a new era in the bilateral relationship between China and Sierra Leone.
“We have been good friends. We would like to contribute to a brighter future of both countries. When President Bio visited China, he asked the Chinese President Xi Jinping how China was able to develop 1.3 billion people. In response, President Xi said to be rich is to build roads. In this delegation, we have one of the biggest construction companies that builds roads in China,” she said.
She disclosed that her delegation comprises one of the biggest solar energy producers in China, adding that President Bio is determined to feed Sierra Leone and her delegation comprises experts in agriculture that could hugely contribute to achieving President Bio’s ambition of securing food security for all Sierra Leoneans.
“We have people in our delegation that are experts in developing new construction materials from mining wastes. These materials have used in China and we want to introduce them in Sierra Leone,” she stated, noting that since their arrival on Sunday, 5th May, 2024, they have observed that the business environment in Sierra Leone is good and that has enhanced their confidence to invest in the country.
She said there is a business leader in China that is willing to bring 100 buses to invest in transportation in Sierra Leone, noting that her delegation was interested to inspect mining areas, potential agriculture investment sites, and the port and fishing communities.
During President Bio Visit to China, he assured Chinese investors of a welcoming environment in Sierra Leone. He cited successful examples of Chinese companies already operating in the country, such as the Leone Rock Company.
While China remains Africa’s largest trading partner, recent years have seen a decline in infrastructure investments financed by loans due to concerns about debt levels in some African nations. The upcoming FOCAC summit will likely see discussions on more sustainable models for China-Africa cooperation.
Sierra Leone hopes to leverage this Business leaders from the Private sector to solidify its ties with China and attract crucial investments that will benefit the nation’s long-term development goals.
