President of United States Chamber of Commerce International Affairs, Scot Eisner was at the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Washington, D.C. last week expressing interest in investment opportunities in Sierra Leone.

His Excellency Sidique Abou-Bakarr Wai, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to the United States assured Scot Eisner that Sierra Leone has a friendly investment climate. He allayed the fears of Scot Eisner, noting that Sierra Leone is looking out for credible partners to tap into the untapped business opportunities.

The Head of Chancery at the Embassy of Sierra Leone, Rakie Macarthy, impressed on the President of United States Chamber of Commerce that the Sierra Leone Investment Board is chaired by President Bio himself.

“It was deliberate that President Bio decided to become the Chairman of the National Investment Board so that he will be able to protect the interest of investors in Sierra Leone”, Rakie Macarthy asserted.

President Scot Eisner reiterated the importance of demystifying the current information about Africa, and at the same time raise awareness among American investors what actually obtains beyond the headlines in the 54 countries in Africa.

“We will help to magnify what business opportunities Sierra Leone can offer. There should be an enabling environment for business to thrive”, President Eisner said.

The President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce International Affairs was assured of security, irrespective of the current political impasse.

Mohamed Kosia who is the Trade and Investment Liaison Officer at the Embassy emphasized on the potentials in Agriculture in Sierra Leone, stressing that Agriculture is the flagship program of President Bio. He further informed the U. S. Chamber of Commerce President that American Investors should not be just looking at Sierra Leone alone for marketing, but that the Mano River Union that comprise Guinea, Liberia, Cote d’ Voire, and Sierra Leone has a population of over 34 million people, and the ECOWAS Region generally that has a population of over 424 million.

In his contribution, Mr. Frank Conteh who is the President of U.S -Sierra Leone Diaspora Chamber of Commerce requested the U.S. Chamber of Commerce President for a Trade Mission to Sierra Leone, where they will meet the Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He appealed to President Scot Eisner for collaboration with the Sierra Leone Diaspora Chamber of Commerce in United States.

Present also at the meeting at 1701 19th Street, Washington, DC were Embassy staff, and Dr. Fuaad Sheriff, Sierra Leone’s diaspora entrepreneur.