Post a comment 
Sierra Leone is moving to deepen economic cooperation with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with Trade and Industry Minister Alpha Ibrahim Sesay engaging his UAE counterpart, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, in Dubai on investment opportunities under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
The meeting focused on economic opportunities and priority areas of cooperation as both countries prepare to advance the implementation of the trade agreement signed earlier this year.
Sierra Leone and the UAE signed the CEPA in Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone.
According to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the agreement provides a framework for expanding trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, with economic activities projected to increase to more than $213 billion by 2033.
During the meeting, Minister Sesay thanked Dr. Al Zeyoudi for making time to engage with him, describing the meeting as a demonstration of the strength of bilateral relations between Sierra Leone and the UAE.
Sesay also briefed his UAE counterpart on the progress made by Sierra Leone since the signing of the CEPA and commended him for his efforts towards securing the agreement.
He said Sierra Leone is looking forward to the full implementation of the CEPA, with particular emphasis on critical sectors including energy and agriculture.
Responding, Dr. Al Zeyoudi highlighted the growing relationship between the UAE and Sierra Leone and identified significant potential for investment between the two countries.
He assured Sierra Leone of the UAE’s readiness to share its experience and expertise to support the successful implementation of the agreement.
The UAE Minister further disclosed that his country is interested in investing in Sierra Leone, particularly in the mining, railway and port sectors.
The engagement is expected to strengthen economic ties between Sierra Leone and the UAE while creating opportunities for increased investment, trade and cooperation across key sectors of the Sierra Leonean economy.
