As a very proactive President, His Excellency initiated the formation of the Sierra Leone-Qatar Business Council which will comprise members of the business community from both Sierra Leone and Qatar that will not only focus on different areas of investment but also enhance the economic cooperation between the two countries. However, His Excellency reiterated that Sierra Leone needs credible investors.

With his great passion for effective management of our mineral resources, President Bio also told the Chamber delegation that his visit would also be a learning process to know how Qatar has efficiently managed its natural resources for the benefit of the country and people. He used the occasion to thank the Chamber for the great hospitality accorded to him and his delegation so far.

In a short statement, the Chairman of the Governance Transition Team, Professor David J. Francis said that Qatar should take Sierra Leone as its strategic economic hub for West Africa because of its huge potentials. He also highlighted several areas including tourism, fisheries and the need for operational airline to Sierra Leone that will be used to connect other African countries. Prof. Francis stated that as a new Government they will look at all recent agreements signed between the Qatari Government and the outgone Government for the purpose of reviewing.

Responding, the Vice Chairman of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mohamed Bin Ahmed Bin Tower Al Kuwari thanked the President for his visit and assured the President of the Chamber’s commitment to invest in Sierra Leone. Kuwari called for the conducive business environment to be created by the new Government and praised the President for his initiative to create the Sierra Leone-Qatar Business Council.

The Qatari economy is one of the fastest growing economies in the Middle East and indeed the world. High growth rates have been maintained due to the high cost of hydrocarbons on the world’s commodities markets.