Welcoming the delegation, President Koroma thanked the Belgian government for their support towards the fight against Ebola and also Brussels Airlines “for only isolating the Ebola virus instead of the country, the more reason I personally visited you to strengthen the existing relationship between Sierra Leone and your country,” he said.
The president recalled that Sierra Leone was fast climbing the economic ladder when the unprecedented Ebola epidemic struck and reversed all the gains.
“We are now out of Ebola and I think we have to re-position ourselves to moving on with the Agenda for Prosperity,” he told the delegation.
Explaining about the potentials of the diamond industry, the head of state said that government’s focus is to establish a diamond cutting and polishing factory which can help to improve on value addition. He said Sierra Leone has unique opportunities which cannot be easily seen anywhere in the world.
President Koroma reiterated government’s commitment to continue to strengthen the enabling environment to attract investors as there are huge potentials within the country. He assured them of security and good hospitality from the people of Sierra Leone.
Thanking the president for his response, head of delegation Pieter De Crem who, according to Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Madam Mabinty Daramy, had served as Prime Minister and also Minister of Defence in Belgium, promised that their mission in Sierra Leone would be realized and yield much dividend.
