The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Fatima Kargbo has recognised the effort and good deeds of the Sierra Leone Indigenous Importers Welfare Association (SLIIWA) at their first ever fund raising and dinner night hosted in Freetown.

She delivered her speech on behalf of her boss the minister Alpha Ibrahim Sesay who is currently out of the country on official assignment with the President. She thanked the executive for their hard work and effort in complementing the effort of the ministry.

She maintained that, the association was established in 2020 with the aim to support and serve as a hub for addressing the concerns, challenges and inquires of business people in the country as well as engaging in international trade.

She appreciated the women in the organisation for their continuous effort, hard work which they have embarked on in constant contribution to maintaining success as major importers and suppliers in the country, adding that, their ministry is committed to supporting the association in achieving their goal and boosting the trade and import sector in the country.

She encouraged members of the organization to consider expanding into exporting local products to enable a boost on market opportunities ranging from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) and the ECOWAS trade liberation scheme (ETLS) among others.