Sierra Leone’s Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt has bidden farewell to the outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Hu zhangliang, saying that his Embassy’s support has contributed immensely to the development of the tourism sector.

In his remarks, Ambassador Hu Zhangliang noted that during his tenure of duty in Sierra Leone he received the general support of the Ministry and was glad that the cooperation between the two sides has yielded fruitful results. He maintained that he enjoyed the friendliness and hospitality of the people of Sierra Leone for which he was grateful. He commended the government for creating conducive conditions for development and people’s wellbeing, saying that China will always be there to support those efforts, he emphasized.

He said the achievements of the government are numerous and tangible hence they cannot be overstressed while adding that the bilateral and cultural relationships between the two countries will be further strengthened.

On her part, Dr. Memunatu Pratt thanked the Ambassador for his immense contributions to the sector, a boast she said came at a time when the industry was in a desperate position to find friends. she mentioned that because the Ambassador understood the hurriedness of the sector and her desperation for progress, the tourism ministry was held in high esteem and several joint activities were done between the Ministry and the Embassy. She told the Ambassador that the Chinese support to attend cultural events in China, strengthening the Ministry’s relationship with the Confucius Institute and the provision of two tour buses to the sector have given them more impetus to take the sector to higher heights.

She applauded Ambassador Hu Zhangliang for being an excellent diplomat that has carried himself with humility and a listening ear. She on behalf of the government and people of Sierra Leone wished him the very best in his next diplomatic assignment.